Ophthalmic color-enhancing lenses and materials

ABSTRACT

An ophthalmic spectacle lens having transmittance properties that block UV and violet light and partially block certain cyan wavelengths to enhance contrast between blue versus green and partially block certain yellow wavelengths to enhance contrast between green versus red, and keep in accordance with the tristimulus values. Adding wavelength-selective organic dyes provides the entire functional attributes of the current invention or improves the contrast-enhancing attributes provided by a glass wafer having functional rare-earth oxides, either of which improve multi-band spectrum that is balanced in blocking UV light, and adding contrast between the primary colors to optimize color-enhancing functions. When using organic dyes for all functional attributes it is possible to integrate these dyes into plastic ophthalmic materials. Some lenses are polarized. Unlike other color-enhancing sunglass lenses, this invention may help protect the eyes from over-exposure to some high-energy visible blue light, which may lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/515,589, filed Mar. 29, 2017 by Charles P. Larson and titled“Ophthalmic spectacle lenses, materials and method,” which is anational-stage entry of PCT Application No. PCT/US2015/047997, filedSep. 1, 2015 by Charles P. Larson and titled “Ophthalmic spectaclelenses, materials and method,” which claims priority benefit, includingunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/105,202, filed Jan. 19, 2015 by Charles P. Larson, titled “Apparatusand method for ophthalmic spectacle lenses,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/146,558, filed Apr. 13, 2015 by Charles P. Larson,titled “Apparatus and method for ophthalmic spectacle lenses,” each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and devices for ophthalmicspectacle lenses, and in particular to lens system that reducestransmission of wavelengths around 500 nm, optionally including one ormore wavelength-selective light-absorbing species within an adhesivelayer of multi-layer-lens versions, optionally with, and optionallywithout, significant additional reduction of transmission of wavelengthsaround 580 nm, and optionally including a polarizing filter layer,wherein the lens system optimizes light transmittance and absorbancecharacteristics of the tri-stimulus values.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-quality sunglasses enhance certain wavelengths of light and blockother wavelengths. A number of U.S. patents attempt to achieve improvedsunglasses and/or enhanced perception of color in various ways,including the following U.S. patents.

Each of the patents and patent application publications referred to inthis specification and its accompanying Figures is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety for all purposes.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,300,436 to Marks et al. issued Jan. 24, 1967 with thetitle “CASTING COMPOSITION FOR LIGHT POLARIZING FILM”. U.S. Pat. No.3,300,436 describes casting compositions initially forming an amorphouspolymer-complex which are transformable upon extension into a continuouscrystalline film capable of strongly polarizing transmitted light.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,894 to Araujo, et al. issued on Oct. 29, 1985 withthe title “Ultraviolet absorbing photochromic glass of low silvercontent”. U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,894 describes a method of producing aphotochromic glass having a reduced transmittance for ultravioletradiation while having substantially unimpaired photochromic properties.The method comprises providing a combination of 0.1-1.0% CeO₂ and0.1-1.5% Sb₂O₃ and/or As₂O₃ as part of the glass composition. In anembodiment utilizing minimal silver content, the glass article inthicknesses of 1.3 to 2.0 mm can be chemically strengthened to surpassthe impact specification imposed by the Federal Food and DrugAdministration for eyewear, will transmit less than 0.2% of radiationhaving wavelengths between 290 nm-315 nm, and will demonstrate adarkened luminous transmittance at 20°-25° C. below 35% and a fadingrate such that after five minutes the luminous transmittance will be atleast 1.75 times that of the darkened transmittance.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,976 to Havens, et al. issued Dec. 25, 1990 with thetitle “Making colored photochromic glasses”. U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,976describes a method for making tinted photochromic glass articles havingan integral reduced surface layer exhibiting color, the glass utilizingsilver halide crystals as the photochromic agent. The method generallycomprises heat treating the glass article in a heating chamber in anatmosphere of flowing hydrogen at temperatures below 500° C. Thespecific steps of the inventive method comprise: (a) initially flowinghydrogen gas into said heat treating chamber at a sufficiently rapidrate to essentially instantaneously fill said chamber with the gas; (b)immediately thereafter decreasing the flow of said the hydrogen gas topermit careful control of the rate at which reduction takes place in theglass surface; and (c) continuing that gas flow for a sufficient lengthof time to produce an integral reduced surface layer on both front andback surfaces of the article having a combined depth effective toexhibit a color, but not of such individual depth as to prevent thepassage of ultraviolet radiation through the front surface of thearticle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,781 issued Jul. 8, 1997 to Robert L. Johnson, Jr.with the title “Optical filters for forming enhanced images”. U.S. Pat.No. 5,646,781 describes an optical filter for providing an enhancedimage. The filter may comprise at least one substrate, layers of a lowrefractive index material and layers of a high refractive indexmaterial. The layers are stacked so that the filter blocks passbands at490 nm and 590 nm as well as other image-confusing radiation. Lightwhich is transmitted by the filter provides an enhanced image forviewing by the human eye as well as nonhuman detectors.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,811 to Kausch, et al. issued on Sep. 5, 2000 withthe title “Dichroic polarizing film and optical polarizer containing thefilm”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,811 describes a dichroic polarizing filmmade, for example, by first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a secondpolymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in asolvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is betweenabout 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried,and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The filmincorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroicpolarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayeroptical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an opticalpolarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets ofpolyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent andorientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film andthe multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orientboth polymer films.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 to Farwig issued Nov. 14, 2000 with the title“Color-enhancing polarized lens”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 describes acolor-enhancing polarized lens is constructed having substantiallytrichroic spectral-transmission. A lens so constructed may have anoverall transmitted tint which is a virtually colorless gray to the eye.A lens so constructed and tint-neutralized delivers unexpectedlydramatic improvements in the areas of color saturation, chromatic andluminous contrast, clarity of detail, depth perception, hazepenetration, and overall impact.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,680 issued to Larson (the inventor of the presentinvention) on Jan. 1, 2002 with the title “Polarized lens with oxideadditive”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,680 describes lens for reducing glare andimproving color discrimination includes a lens wafer containing arare-earth oxide such as neodymium that provides relatively high lighttransmittancy at 450 nm, 540 nm, and 610 nm, and relatively low lighttransmittancy at 500 nm and at 580 nm. A polarized filter is included toreduce glare, and an anti-reflective layer minimizes ghost images, haze,and loss of contrast.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824 to Larson (the inventor of the presentinvention) issued Aug. 12, 2003 with the title “Polarized lens withoxide additive”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824 describes a lens for reducingglare and improving color discrimination includes a lens wafercontaining a rare earth oxide such as neodymium that providesprogressively higher transmittance at 540 nm than at 500 nm and at 450nm, and average transmittance at 540 nm and 610 nm that is greater thanthe transmittance at 580 nm. An ultra-violet absorber, a polarizedfilter and anti-reflective layer may be included to reduce UV light,glare and improve contrast and vision.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816 to Tsutsumi issued Aug. 10, 2004 with the title“Driving glasses”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816 describes driving glasses inwhich a thermic ray reflection layer made of a metal or an organicsubstance is provided on the outer surface of a glass matrix, and ananti-reflection layer 3 is provided on the inner surface thereof,wherein the glass matrix contains neodymium oxide Nd₂O₃ through 12% byweight and praseodymium oxide Pr₆O₁₁ of 0.5 through 8% by weight, andforms an absorption peak of light transmittance at a wavelength of 510nm through 540 nm and a wavelength of 570 nm through 590 nm.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,118 to Ishak issued on Apr. 18, 2006 with the title“Waterman's sunglass lens”. U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,118 describes animproved ten-layer performance polarized lens for sunglasses. The lensdesign maximizes visual acuity while minimizing blue-light transmissionusing a multi-layer dielectric mirror to reduces glare and overall lighttransmission, two layers of high-contrast blue-blocking amber CR-39plastic or polycarbonate, sandwiching a polarizing layer. An outerhydrophobic overcoat is also provided to protect against haze,delamination, and smudging. The foregoing layers are arranged to providea balanced light transmission profile optimum for use on the water inwhich 100% of UV-A & B light is absorbed to at least 400 nm. Theresulting dielectric-mirrored sunglass lens reduces both overall lighttransmission and ocular photochemical damage.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,599 to Kumar, et al. issued May 16, 2006 with thetitle “Polarizing devices and methods of making the same”. U.S. Pat. No.7,044,599 describes ophthalmic elements and devices comprising an atleast partial coating adapted to polarize at least transmitted radiationon at least a portion of at least one exterior surface of an ophthalmicelement or substrate. Further, according to certain non-limitingembodiments, the at least partial coating adapted to polarize at leasttransmitted radiation comprises at least one at least partially aligneddichroic material. Other non-limiting embodiments of the disclosureprovide methods of making ophthalmic elements and devices comprisingforming an at least partial coating adapted to polarize at leasttransmitted radiation on at least a portion of at least one exteriorsurface of the ophthalmic element or substrate. Optical elements anddevices and method of making the same are also disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640 to Fung issued May 13, 2008 with the title“Enhanced color contrast”. U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640 describes a colorcontrast enhancing lens made from adhering two different lenses and amembrane together. It includes a color enhancing lens whose specificcomponent will selectively absorb the yellow light in the visiblespectrum, which enhances the user vision by enhancing the distinctionbetween red and green. It also includes an ultraviolet blocking lenswhose special compounds will absorb the majority of violet light and apart of blue light. It also includes a light polarization membrane whosespecial structure can reduce strong light. It can also absorb themajority of violet light and keep a low transmission rate of blue light,thus reduced the retina injury caused by overexposure to blue light. Itcan also block the invisible ultraviolet and reduce strong light. Sowhile the users' eyes are protected, they can also enjoy their view.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,977 to Aiiso issued Mar. 24, 2009 with the title“Plastic spectacles lens”. U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,977 describes plasticspectacles lens containing an organic dye instead of a neodymiumcompound and having an optical transmission equivalent to a plasticspectacles lens containing a neodymium compound is provided. The plasticspectacles lens comprises a plastic lens wafer formed from athermosetting or thermoplastic resin, or the plastic lens wafer and one,or two or more component layers formed on at least one side of theplastic lens wafer, and an organic dye satisfying the specificconditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441 to Farwig issued on Oct. 6, 2009 with the title“Polarized contrast enhancing sunglass lens”. U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441describes a polarized sunglass lens that utilizes a multiband contrastenhancer comprised of three rare-earth oxides to provide relatively highpeak transmittance in portions of the red and green spectrum, relativelylower transmittance for the blue spectrum, and very low transmittancefor the UV spectrum. The lens provides enhanced perception of colors,heightened contrast, and improved visual acuity. The inclusion ofvanadium pentoxide in the lens provides attenuation of the UV spectrum,thus protecting the user's eyes and the internal layers and colorantsfrom UV-induced damage. The front lens element can be either themultiband contrast enhancer or a photochromic lens element.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,678 to Farwig issued Jul. 3, 2012 with the title“Multiband contrast-enhancing light filter and polarized sunglass lenscomprising same”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,678 describes a polarized sunglasslens that comprises a multiband contrast enhancer to provide relativelyhigh light transmittance for portions of the red, green, and bluespectra, while blocking UV and visible violet wavelengths, andoptionally blocking deep-red wavelengths, in a single lens layer whichwhen positioned as the front lens layer also protects the internal lenslayers from UV-induced degradation. The multiband contrast enhancercomprises a combination of a copper halide or copper indium compoundwith rare-earth oxides in a heat-treated glass composition, or acombination of narrowband and sharp-cut absorbing dyes in a plasticcomposition, and provides attenuation of the UV and violet spectrum,thus protecting the user's eyes and the internal layers and colorantsfrom UV-induced damage while providing enhanced optical contrast, colorsaturation, and visual acuity for the wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,929 to Chiou et al. (hereinafter, “Chiou et al.”)titled “Color contrast enhancing sunglass lens”, issued May 27, 2014.Chiou et al. describe a color contrast enhancing sunglass lens thatincludes a lens body and a multi-layer coating disposed on the lensbody. The multi-layer coating includes a set of alternating layersformed of materials having different refractive indices and confines thetransmission of visible light to a predetermined spectral profile havingat least three high transmission bands that include blue, green and redbands and that have a maximum of spectral transmittance no less than60%, three low transmission bands that include purple, cyan and yellowbands and that have a minimum of spectral transmittance no greater than40%, and no spectral transmittance being less than 15% between 475 nmand 650 nm. The thicknesses of the layers in the multiple-layer lenscoatings determine which wavelengths are reflected and which wavelengthsare passed. The color contrast enhancing sunglass lens as disclosedmeets the ANSI specification Z80.3-2009 section 4.6.3.3.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,749 to McCabe, et al. issued Jul. 8, 2014 with thetitle “Eyewear with chroma enhancement”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,749describes a lens including a lens body and an optical filter configuredto attenuate visible light in a plurality of spectral bands. Each of theplurality of spectral bands can include an absorptance peak with aspectral bandwidth, a maximum absorptance, and an integrated absorptancepeak area within the spectral bandwidth. An attenuation factor obtainedby dividing the integrated absorptance peak area within the spectralbandwidth by the spectral bandwidth of the absorptance peak can begreater than or equal to about 0.8 for the absorptance peak in each ofthe plurality of spectral bands.

German patent application number DE 102005052812 A1 by Asmus waspublished Dec. 28, 2006 with the title “Getönte UV-Haftfolie füroptische Brillenglaser” (roughly, “Tinted UV-adhesive-film for opticallenses”). This application describes a self-adhesive tinted UV-blockingtinted film that provides UV-protection against glaring light, e.g., ofsun and snow, in the anti-glaring category 3, that is, having 8- to18-percent transmission. The film is made up of PVC (polyvinylchloride)of thickness 0.1 mm coated with an adhesive.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,641 to Murphy issued Aug. 15, 1972 with the title“LAMINATED PRODUCT BONDED WITH COLORED ADHESIVE”. U.S. Pat. No.3,684,641 describes multi-ply creped tissue paper containing printingbetween the plies of tissue to create a pattern of muted andaesthetically pleasing coloration visible on the exterior surface of theplies and the method of making the product which involves the use ofwater-based adhesives as the printing media. Such a product is unsuitedfor making ophthalmic spectacle lenses.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,879 to Jiang et al issued Jun. 10, 2014 with thetitle “Adhesive system for a laminated lens and method for applyingsame”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,879 describes a method for laminating afunctional film on to an optical base element and a tri-layer adhesivesystem for use in the method. The tri-layer adhesive includes a firstlatex adhesive layer disposed on the functional film and a second latexadhesive layer disposed on the optical base element. A hot-melt adhesive(HMA) layer is disposed in between the latex layers to form a tri-layeradhesive to permanently retain the functionalized film on the opticalbase element. The method includes first coating a latex adhesive on thefunctional film and second coating a latex adhesive on the optical baseelement. An HMA is then coated on to one of the dried latex adhesivelayers. The film is hot pressed on to the optical base element with theHMA sandwiched in between the latex layers to form a laminated opticaldevice.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,233 to Mosse et al. issued Dec. 23, 2014, with thetitle “Methods for coating lenses curved surfaces with a polarizingliquid”. U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,233 describes methods and apparatus forcoating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with apolarizing liquid. For example, there is provided a method of providinga lens having a curved surface, and applying a polarizing liquid to atleast a portion of the curved surface by shear flow with a flexibleapparatus. Apparatus include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatingsformed according to the disclosed methods.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,467 to Bailey issued Aug. 11, 1998 with the title“Semi-permanent reading lenses for sunglasses”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,467describes a plastic reading lens using a microstructure to providereading correction can be semi-permanently attached to anon-prescription sunglass using a water-soluble adhesive. The lens maybe removed from the sunglass using an adhesive remover which isnon-damaging to plastic or glass. The microstructure lens may also beapplied to the sunglasses using a non-adhesive molecular attractionmechanism.

U.S. Patent Application Publication 2014/0233105 of Schmeder et al.published Aug. 21, 2014 with the title “Multi-band color vision filtersand method by LP-optimization”. Patent Application Publication2014/0233105 describes optical filters that provide regulation and/orenhancement of chromatic and luminous aspects of the color appearance oflight to human vision, generally to applications of such opticalfilters, to therapeutic applications of such optical filters, toindustrial and safety applications of such optical filters whenincorporated, for example, in radiation-protective eyewear, to methodsof designing such optical filters, to methods of manufacturing suchoptical filters, and to designs and methods of incorporating suchoptical filters into apparatus including, for example, eyewear andilluminants.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved ophthalmic spectacle lenses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, the present invention includes a color-enhancingophthalmic spectacle lens whose spectral values conform to those of thetri-stimulus values. In some embodiments, the color-enhancing ophthalmicspectacle lens absorbs more high-frequency visible light than otherinventions in its field, while maintaining or increasing colordefinition with the use of transitional metal oxides, rare-earth metaloxides, and/or organic dyes. In embodiments that include a polarizingfilter, this invention becomes particularly beneficial in providing thewearer with increased color definition, visual and depth perception, andacuity.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes one or morewavelength-selective light-absorbing species within an adhesive layer,wherein this adhesive layer itself, when combined with thewavelength-selective light-absorbing species, is wavelength-selectivetransparent (i.e., that allows light to pass through with substantiallyno diffusion (but that allows more of certain wavelengths than otherwavelengths) so that objects behind can be distinctly seen, such as byanalogy “transparent blue water,” in contrast to translucent (allowinglight, but not detailed images, to pass through), opaque, or semi-opaquematerials) in the final assembled lens system. In some embodiments, theadhesive component that contains the wavelength-selectivelight-absorbing species includes one or more layers that include ahot-melt adhesive, a latex adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, an acrylicadhesive, a silicone adhesive, an epoxy adhesive, or any other suitableadhesive layer. The adhesive layer also provides a mechanical functionof adhering other lens components to one another. In some embodiments,the present invention uses a water-activated adhesive, for example, theadhesive sold under the brand name Acrylic Adhesive No. 467 availablefrom the 3M Corporation of Saint Paul, Minn., USA (3M Corporation). Insome embodiments, a medium viscosity, two component epoxy system withhigh performance bonding qualities is preferred. In some embodiments,the preferred adhesive should be readily cured at room temperatureand/or more rapidly cured at elevated temperatures relative to roomtemperature, making the assembled parts available for handling in aproduction environment in a shorter time allotment. In some embodiments,the preferred adhesive should also be reactive with highphysical-strength properties and optical clarity. Known epoxy resinsthat are used in some embodiments of the present invention include thosemade from epichlorohydrin, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and/or otheraliphatic polyols such as glycerol. Such materials can be characterizedby a glycidyl ether structure and are commonly cured with a variety ofamines and/or amides. The result of the combination of the components isa resin based on the reactivity of such epoxide groups. In someembodiments, the present invention includes any of the above adhesivesor other suitable adhesive and also includes one or morewavelength-selective light-absorbing species within the adhesive inorder that the adhesive can be used as the adhering layer between otherlens components (such as ophthalmic-grade glass wafers, polarizinglayers and the like) in sunglasses. In some embodiments, the presentinvention includes such sunglasses that include the adhesive and its oneor more wavelength-selective light-absorbing species as one interiorlayer (for convenience, referred to as the first adhesive layer, whereinthere is optionally one or more further adhesive layers) in the lenses.In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer in the sunglasses includesone or more wavelength-selective light-absorbing species that reducetransmission of wavelengths around 500 nm more than the average of thereduction of transmission of wavelengths around 480 nm and the reductionof transmission of wavelengths around 520 nm, and the sunglasses do notsubstantially reduce wavelengths around 580 nm more than the averagereduction of transmission of wavelengths around 550 nm and wavelengthsaround 610 nm. In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer in thesunglasses includes one or more wavelength-selective light-absorbingspecies that reduce transmission of wavelengths around 500 nm more thanthe average of the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around 480nm and the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around 520 nm, andthe first adhesive layer also includes one or more wavelength-selectivelight-absorbing species that do reduce wavelengths around 580 nm morethan the average of the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around560 nm and the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around 600 nm.In some embodiments, the first adhesive layer (for example, the layerthat holds a first outer glass layer to a central polarizing layer) inthe sunglasses includes one or more wavelength-selective light-absorbingspecies that reduce transmission of wavelengths around 500 nm more thanthe average of the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around 480nm and the reduction of transmission of wavelengths around 520 nm, and asecond adhesive layer (for example, the layer that holds a second outerglass layer to the central polarizing layer) includes one or morewavelength-selective light-absorbing species that reduce transmission ofwavelengths around 580 nm more than the average of the reduction oftransmission of wavelengths around 560 nm and the reduction oftransmission of wavelengths around 600 nm.

Generally speaking, in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, an epoxy adhesive composition and one or more organic dyesare used, in which a base formulation of epoxy with optical clarity iscombined with one or more wavelength-selective light-absorbing dyes fromone or more sources to provide a colored epoxy adhesive having anenhanced perceived contrast between blue light and green light due to ablue-versus-green partial-absorbance band specifically found between 480nm and 510 nm, and/or having an enhanced perceived contrast betweengreen light and red light due to a green-versus-red partial-absorbanceband between 570 nm and 590 nm. In some embodiments, bypartial-absorbance it is meant that the band passes at least a certainamount of light in the wavelengths of the band for safety reasons (e.g.,in some embodiments, an amount of light that is at least 20% of theaverage transmittance of the lens over the wavelength range of 400 nm to700 nm). For example, a lens passing at least this certain amount oflight in the 570 nm to 590 nm partial-absorbance band would helpautomobile drivers to notice an amber traffic light that might not bevisible if less light in this band were passed. Similarly, having thelens pass at least a certain amount of light in the blue-versus-greenpartial-absorbance band would help automobile drivers to notice a cyanor blue-green traffic light that might not be visible if less light inthis band were passed. In some embodiments, the blue-versus-greenpartial-absorbance band is primarily between 480 nm and 490 nm. In someembodiments, the blue-versus-green partial-absorbance band is primarilybetween 490 nm and 500 nm. In some preferred embodiments, theblue-versus-green partial-absorbance band is primarily between 500 nmand 510 nm. In some other preferred embodiments, the blue-versus-greenpartial-absorbance band is primarily between 495 nm and 515 nm. Someembodiments further include a violet-blocking absorbance band forwavelengths from 400 to 420 nm when in an assembled lens. In someembodiments, the violet-blocking absorbance band is for wavelengths from400 to 430 nm when in an assembled lens. In some embodiments, theviolet-blocking absorbance band is for wavelengths from 400 to 440 nmwhen in an assembled lens. In some embodiments, the violet-blockingabsorbance band is for wavelengths from 400 to 450 nm when in anassembled lens. In some embodiments, the assembled lens includes twoglass wafers and a polymer layer that is cured between the two wafers ina two-wafer lens system. In some embodiments, the base compositionsinclude an uncured epoxy resin with transparent optical clarity. In someembodiments, the dye pigments are advantageously added to the resin,preferably using wetting agents and other additives. To this, the dyepigments are added as needed to provide the desired spectral compositionin conformance to the tri-stimulus values discussed herein. In someembodiments, the invention accordingly includes compositions possessingthe characteristics, properties and the relations of components, as wellas a system and method involving these compositions.

Some embodiments include one or more wavelength-selectivelight-absorbing species within a non-adhesive layer that is deposited ona lens component of the lens system. This non-adhesive layer itself,when combined with the wavelength-selective light-absorbing species, iswavelength-selective transparent (i.e., that allows light to passthrough with substantially no diffusion (but that allows more of certainwavelengths than other wavelengths) so that objects behind can bedistinctly seen, such as by analogy “transparent blue water,” incontrast to translucent (allowing light, but not detailed images, topass through), opaque, or semi-opaque materials) in the final assembledlens system. In some embodiments, the non-adhesive deposited layer(s)that contains the wavelength-selective light-absorbing species isapplied to lens components as a polarizing liquid that provides alight-polarizing function, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,233,as well as a color-enhancing function obtained from thewavelength-selective light-absorbing species. In some embodiments, theone or more wavelength-selective light-absorbing species are added tothe polarizing liquid described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,233 along with anadhesive species such that the resulting liquid is treated as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,233 to provide its polarization functionality andis also treated to activate its adhesive function of holding two otherlens components to one another. In some embodiments, the adhesivecomponent includes a polyurethane that is water activated.

In some embodiments, the one or more wavelength-selectivelight-absorbing species are applied as a layer by themselves usingvacuum-deposition, sputtering, ion-assisted deposition, applying whenthe wavelength-selective light-absorbing species are dissolved in asolvent that is later evaporated away, or other suitable techniques. Insome such embodiments, an adhesive layer is deposited on top of such adeposited surface layer of wavelength-selective light-absorbing speciesto hold the substrate having the wavelength-selective absorbing layer toanother lens wafer.

In some embodiments, the present invention uses one or morewavelength-selective light-absorbing species to providewavelength-selective attenuation of wavelengths around 500 nm withoutproviding wavelength-selective attenuation of wavelengths around 580 nm,such that the completed lens system enhances color separation betweenblue and green colors (by blocking cyan at 500 nm) without blockingyellow colors of around 580 nm. These lenses thus allow users ofsunglasses and other color-enhancing ophthalmic spectacle lensesperforming certain activities to see certain desired wavelengths, suchas all wavelengths in the visible spectrum between green and yellow(e.g., in some embodiments, wavelengths between about 520 nm and about600 nm are passed to about equal amounts; in other embodiments, eachwavelength between about 520 nm and about 600 nm is transmitted at alevel at least 80% of the average transmission of all wavelengthsbetween about 520 nm and about 600 nm; and in some such embodiments,each wavelength between about 520 nm and about 600 nm is transmitted ata level at least 90% of the average transmission of all wavelengthsbetween about 520 nm and about 600 nm), as well as blue wavelengths(e.g., in some embodiments, wavelengths between about 440 nm and about480 nm are passed to about equal amounts). In some embodiments, thiswavelength-selectivity that attenuates cyan colors (wavelengths around500 nm), optionally combined with polarization in the lens, providesenhanced visibility for people fishing for, for example, yellow and bluefish, which might not be as visible to a person wearing other sunglassesthat also attenuate yellow colors (wavelengths around 580 nm). In someembodiments, the wavelength-selective function attenuates at least somewavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm to pass an amount of such light ata level that is no greater than 75% of the average amount of blue light(between 440 nm and 480 nm) passed, and also no greater than 75% of theaverage amount of green and yellow light (between 520 nm and 590 nm)passed; and at the same time, passes all wavelengths between 520 nm and590 nm in an amount of at least 80% of the average amount of lightpassed having wavelengths between 520 nm and 590 nm. In someembodiments, the wavelength-selective function attenuates at least somewavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm to pass an amount of such light ata level that is no greater than 50% of the average amount of blue light(between 440 nm and 480 nm) passed, and also no greater than 50% of theaverage amount of green and yellow light (between 520 nm and 590 nm)passed; and at the same time, passes all wavelengths between 520 nm and590 nm in an amount of at least 80% of the average amount of lightpassed having wavelengths between 520 nm and 590 nm.

Absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light at wavelengths shorter than 400 nm isimportant in protecting the eyes from overexposure to UV, which cancause cataracts. Other lenses in this field attempt to address thisconcern, but the effects of extended exposure to high-frequency visiblelight has been researched extensively and there is increasing evidencethat not only ultraviolet (UV) light but also high-frequency visiblelight may have potentially damaging effects on our eyes. Cataracts canform from over-exposure to UV light. Over-exposure to high-frequencyvisible light may increase Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).Studies such as “The Role of Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis ofAge-Related Macular Degeneration” published in the SURVEY OFOPHTHALMOLOGY, VOLUME 45, NUMBER 2, pages 115-134, September-October2000, West S K, Rosenthal F S, Bressler N M, et al. “Exposure tosunlight and other risk factors for age-related macular degeneration.”Arch. Ophthalmol. 1989; 107(6):875-9 (hereinafter, the “MarylandWatermen Study”), plus Klein R, Klein B E, Jensen S C, et al. “Thefive-year incidence and progression of age-related maculopathy: TheBeaver Dam Eye Study.” Ophthalmol 1997; 104(1):7-21 (hereinafter the“Beaver Dam Eye Study”), which are all incorporated herein by reference)all point to a probability that over exposure to blue light may lead toAMD. In the Maryland Watermen Study, findings are that AMD was morecommon in men exposed to increased levels of blue light, but not inthose with increased levels of ultraviolet exposure. Similarly, theBeaver Dam Eye Study found that exposure to visible light was associatedwith AMD in men.

In some embodiments, the device of the present invention absorbs morepotentially harmful visible light than other lenses in this field, i.e.,nearly 100% of the high-frequency visible light between 400 nm and 420nm (or optionally from 400 nm to 430 nm, or optionally from 400 to 440,or optionally from 400 to 450), while balancing the visible colorspectrum. It is known that when a lens absorbs light to a degree of 50%of the luminous transmittance of the lens between 430 nm and 450 nm, theperception of the color blue starts to deteriorate. Human eyes containthree types of color-sensitive cones. The first type of cone in thehuman eye responds to blue light and is most sensitive at about 450 nm,the second type of cone is stimulated by green light and is mostsensitive at about 550 nm, and the third type of cone is stimulated byred light and is most sensitive at about 600 nm. The “green” and “red”cones are mostly packed into the fovea centralis. By population, about64% of the cones are red-sensitive, about 32% are green sensitive, andabout 2% are blue sensitive. The “blue” cones have the highestsensitivity and are mostly found outside the fovea. The presentinvention defines an absorption band one for visible wavelengths shorterthan wavelengths in the “blue” pass band (i.e., wavelengths of 430 nm orshorter), an absorption band two for wavelengths longer than wavelengthsin the “blue” pass band but shorter than wavelengths in “green” passband, an absorption band three for wavelengths longer than wavelengthsin the “green” pass band but shorter than wavelengths in “red” passband, and an absorption band four for wavelengths longer thanwavelengths in the “red” pass band. The mixture of energy responsessignaled by the three types of cones in the human eye defines the totalcolor perception that a person views. Additionally, chromatic responseof the human eye falls to near zero in the absorption band two (about500 nm) and absorption band three (about 580 nm), as well as in violetand ultraviolet of absorption band one (including wavelengths shorterthan about 400 nm) and in deep red of absorption band four (includingwavelengths longer than about 700 nm).

Lenses that absorb light from 400 nm to 420 nm may increase protectionfor a person's eyes due to over exposure of high-frequency visiblelight. At the same time, lenses that absorb light having wavelengthsfrom 400 nm to 420 nm or optionally from 400 to 430 nm will decreaseglare and increase distance-vision acuity. In some embodiments, thepresent invention can at least partially achieve one preferredembodiment by adding copper oxides and/or titanium oxides into anophthalmic-grade glass wafer, heat treating this wafer to create achemical reaction allowing the absorbance of light to nearly 100%through the range of 415 nm to 425 nm. In some embodiments, adding anorganic dye that has a peak absorbance near 420 nm, or 430 nm, or 440 nmincreases the total absorbance from 400 nm to 420 nm, or 400 nm to 430nm to nearly 100%. Alternatively, some embodiments use two (2) glasswafers, with no copper oxides or titanium oxides used, and achieve thedesired absorbance by adding organic dyes (with the functionalattributes to absorb light having wavelengths in the 400 nm to 420 nm orto 430 nm range) to one or more of the adhesive layers, to thepolarizing filter layer, or to both the polarizing filter and one ormore of the adhesive layers. Alternatively, some embodiments useophthalmic-grade plastic polymers such as polycarbonate or polyurethanefor the lenses (instead of or in addition to one or both of the glasswafers used in other embodiments), and have organic dyes dispersed intoor onto the polymer material to cause the desired spectral curve (suchas spectral curve 330 of FIG. 3C and FIG. 4, or spectral curve 930 ofFIG. 9, or the spectral blocking bands, reducing bands and passing bandsshown schematically in spectral schematic 1030 shown in FIG. 10A) as itrelates to the tristimulus values. Human eyes are most sensitive to bluelight having a wavelength of about 450 nm, so by allowing the spectraltransmittance cut-on between 430 nm and 450 nm allows for continued bluecolor perception, without distortion. Human eyes are most sensitive togreen light having a wavelength of about 550 nm. The BG crossover 214(see FIG. 2) wavelength-sensitivity curves of the blue cones and greencones of the human eye occurs at about 500 nm, so by creating anabsorption peak near 500 nm, the present invention will better separatethe distinction between blue and green, increasing contrast and/orimproving the pleasurable perception of the two colors blue and green.In some embodiments, adding to the lens an organic dye whose peakabsorbance is near 500 nm creates the functional absorbance peak desiredin the present invention. The GR crossover 215 (see FIG. 2) of thewavelength-sensitivity curves of the green cones and red cones of thehuman eye occurs at about 580 nm. Creating an absorption peak in thiswavelength region is particularly beneficial in helping the eye resolvethe differences between green and red, thereby increasing contrastand/or improving the pleasurable perception of these two colors.Neodymium oxide, a rare-earth oxide, has an absorption peak at about 585nm and helps obtain this functional absorption for some embodiments ofthe present invention. Alternatively or additionally, some embodimentsof the present invention use an organic dye (as discussed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,506,977) with an absorbance peak of about 580 nm to replace orsupplement the absorption provided by neodymium. In some embodiments,neodymium is added to the lens system of the present inventioncontaining the copper oxides and titanium oxides and/or to the lenssystem of the present invention containing the organic-dye cocktail(e.g., the lens system that includes organic dyes in the polarizingfilter layer and/or one or more adhesive layers to absorb light havingwavelengths from 400 nm to 420 nm or, 430 nm) designed to mimic theabsorption characteristics of copper oxides and titanium oxides.

In some embodiments, combining the precise ratios of the embodimentsallows the present invention to maintain ANSI Z80.3-2009 4.6.3.2 and ISO12312-1 2013 5.3.2.2 and 5.3.2.3 standards for sunglass filters'traffic-signal recognition. In some embodiments, it is important for thepresent invention to meet these standards, as this invention isparticularly beneficial for daytime driving. In some embodiments, theratios of metal oxides formulated in a glass wafer are adjusted tocompensate for the thickness of the wafer, which can have various valuesfor thickness from 1 mm or greater, thus requiring different ratios ofoxides in order to meet the above-described standards for passing agiven minimum amount of light having the wavelengths used for green (orcyan) and amber signal lights. In some embodiments, the glass waferhaving the metal oxides is used as either the front wafer, rear wafer,or both in the multi-layered lens embodiments of the present invention.In some embodiments, the organic dye is added to either the polarizedfilter layer or the adhesive layer, or both. In some embodiments, themetal oxide(s) restrict light transmittance from 400 nm to 415 nm and585 nm, while the organic dye(s) restrict light transmittance from 415nm to 420 nm, or 415 nm to 430 and 490 nm to 510 nm, resulting in atleast three transmittance peaks (pass bands) at about 450 nm, 550 nm,and 600 nm and at least two absorption peaks (absorption bands) at about500 nm and 585 nm.

In some embodiments that include a polarizing filter, the polarizingfilter is applied by one of two technologies well known in the art: thefirst would be using a film between two approximately 1-mm-thick glasswafers, wherein one of the two wafers contains absorption species ofsome of the embodiments of this invention that use one or more of thegroup consisting of copper halides, copper oxides, titanium oxides,praseodymium oxides, and/or erbium oxides, and wherein the second waferis clear glass without any particularly unusual spectral transmittance,or is a photochromic glass wafer (i.e., a glass wafer that darkens(reduces light transmittance) in bright sunlight). In some embodiments,the wafers are laminated together with an adhesive and, in someembodiments, this adhesive contains the organic dyes used to achieve oneor more of the reduced-transmission spectral bands). Herein, this iscalled a two-wafer system.

In other embodiments, the polarizing-filter technology includes a singleglass wafer that contains the absorption species of some of embodimentsthat use one or more of the group consisting of copper halides, copperoxides, titanium oxides, praseodymium oxides, and/or erbium oxides,wherein the glass wafer is about 2-mm thick, and wherein the polarizingfilter is applied to the concave surface of the wafer using avacuum-coating process that is well known in the art of ion-assisteddeposition. Herein, this is called a single-wafer system.

In some embodiments, the present invention also includes mirror coatingsand/or anti-reflection coatings. If a mirror coating is desirable, theuse of a two-wafer system is particularly beneficial. In someembodiments, the mirror coating is applied to the concave surface of thefront wafer, which provides protection to the mirror coating fromscratching or abrasion, and protects the mirror coating from separatingfrom the lens surface. With an internal mirror coating such as this, insome embodiments, it is desirable to include an anti-reflection coatingon the concave surface of the rear wafer to minimize internalreflections induced by the mirror coating. In some embodiments, themirror coating includes a metal film. In other embodiments, the mirrorcoating includes a plurality of dielectric layers. In still otherembodiments, the mirror coating includes both a metal film and aplurality of dielectric layers. In some embodiments, the thicknesses ofthe dielectric layers are chosen to reflect (and thus help block) one ormore of the wavelengths in one or more of the reduced-transmittancewavelength bands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a set of spectral graphs 1110 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curves 110, 120, and 130 at various wavelengths ofthree embodiments of the present invention to light-transmission curves88 and 99 at various wavelengths of a lens according to U.S. Pat. No.8,770,749 (Prizm Daily) and according to a conventional580-blocking-only polarized embodiment (e.g., such as described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,506,977), respectively.

FIG. 1A1 is a set of spectral graphs 1111 comparing spectrallight-transmission curves 110, 120, and 130 at various wavelengths tovarious averages of the light-transmission curves 119, 129, and 139across the various wavelengths.

FIG. 1A2 is a set of spectral graphs 1112 comparing spectrallight-transmission curves 114, 124, and 134 at various wavelengths tovarious averages of the light-transmission curves 117, 127, and 137across the various wavelengths.

FIG. 1A3 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 11 that represents oneembodiment of the 500 & 580 Brown Polarized lens that exhibits thespectral curve 110 as shown in FIG. 1A1 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1A4 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 12 which representsone embodiment of the 500 & 580 No Polarization lens that exhibits thespectral curve 120 of FIG. 1A1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A5 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 13 which representsone embodiment of the 500 & 580 Gray Polarized lens that exhibits thespectral curve 130 of FIG. 1A1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a spectral graph 1120 that illustrates light-transmissioncurve 88 at various wavelengths.

FIG. 1C1 is a spectral graph 1131 that illustrates light-transmissioncurve 99 at various wavelengths of a lens according to a conventional orcurrent 580-only blocking embodiment.

FIG. 1C2 is a set of spectral graphs 1132 that illustrate details of thespectral graphs set forth in FIG. 1A1.

FIG. 1C3 is a set of spectral graphs 1133 that illustrate details of thespectral graphs set forth in FIG. 1A2.

FIG. 1D1 is a spectral graph 1141 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 130 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1D2 is a set of spectral graphs 1142 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 130 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 130 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1D3 is a set of spectral graphs 1143 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 134 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 134 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1E1 is a spectral graph 1151 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 120 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1E2 is a set of spectral graphs 1152 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 120 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 120 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1E3 is a set of spectral graphs 1153 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 124 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 124 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1F1 is a spectral graph 1161 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 110 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1F2 is a set of spectral graphs 1162 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 110 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 110 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1F3 is a set of spectral graphs 1163 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 114 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 114 across the variouswavelengths.

FIG. 1G (Assembled Lens Drawing) is a cross section view of a two-wafersystem 1170 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph 200 of spectral sensitivity versus wavelength (calledthe tristimulus curve) detailing the peak sensitivity curves for colorvision. Blue sensitivity is designated as zone B, green sensitivity isdesignated as zone G, and red sensitivity is designated as zone R.

FIG. 3A is a set of spectral graphs 301 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 360 and 370 at various wavelengths of twoembodiments of the present invention to tristimulus curves 211, 212 and213.

FIG. 3B is a set of spectral graphs 302 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curves 340 and 350 at various wavelengths of twoembodiments of the present invention to light transmission 310 atvarious wavelengths of a “clear” lens.

FIG. 3C is a set of spectral graphs 303 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 321 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Farwig's U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441.

FIG. 4 is a set of spectral graphs 400 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 421 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Tsutsumi's U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816.

FIG. 5 is a set of spectral graphs 500 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 521 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Larson's U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824.

FIG. 6 is the set of spectral graphs 600 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 621 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Fung's U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640.

FIG. 7 is the set of spectral graphs 700 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 721 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 describes three maximumtransmittal peaks and two minimum transmittal peaks.

FIG. 8 is the set of spectral graphs 800 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 821 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to a typical sunglass lens.

FIG. 9 is the set of spectral graphs 900 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 930 at various wavelengthsof a sunglass lens according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10A is a set of graphs 1001 that compare the absorption andtransmittance bands of various embodiments of the current invention toboth the tristimulus values 1010 and to the absorption and transmittancebands 1021 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984.

FIG. 10B is a set of graphs 1002 that compare the sets 1036, 1037, 1038,1039, and 1040 of absorption and transmittance bands of variousembodiments of the current invention to the tristimulus values 1010.

FIG. 10C is a set of graphs 1003 that compare various optionalabsorption subbands of various embodiments of the current invention tothe tristimulus values 1010.

FIG. 10D is a set of graphs 1004 that compare various optionalabsorption subbands of various embodiments of the current invention tothe tristimulus values 1010.

FIG. 11 is a set of graphs 1100 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1121 of U.S.Pat. No. 6,773,816.

FIG. 12 is a set of graphs 1200 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1221 of U.S.Pat. No. 7,597,640.

FIG. 13 is a set of graphs 1300 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1321 of U.S.Pat. No. 7,597,441.

FIG. 14 is a set of graphs 1400 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1421 of U.S.Pat. No. 8,210,678.

FIG. 15A is a set of graphs 1501 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1521 of U.S.Pat. No. 7,506,977.

FIG. 15B is a set of graphs 1502 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1522 of U.S.Pat. No. 8,770,749.

FIG. 15C is a set of graphs 1503 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1523 of U.S.Pat. No. 8,733,929.

FIG. 15D is a set of graphs 1504 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1524 of U.S.Pat. No. 6,604,824.

FIG. 15E is a set of graphs 1505 that compares the absorption andtransmittance bands 1031 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1525 of U.S.Patent Application Publication 2013/0141693.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a lens 1600 having a plurality of layers, someof which are optionally omitted, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that many variations and alterations to the following detailsare within the scope of the invention. Specific examples are used toillustrate particular embodiments; however, the invention described inthe claims is not intended to be limited to only these examples, butrather includes the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, thefollowing preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth withoutany loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon theclaimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawingsthat form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationspecific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is specifically contemplated that the present invention includesembodiments having combinations and subcombinations of the variousembodiments and features that are individually described herein (i.e.,rather than listing every combinatorial of the elements, thisspecification includes descriptions of representative embodiments andcontemplates embodiments that include some of the features from oneembodiment combined with some of the features of another embodiment,including embodiments that include some of the features from oneembodiment combined with some of the features of embodiments describedin the patents and application publications incorporated by reference inthe present application). Further, some embodiments include fewer thanall the components described as part of any one of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figuresgenerally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component isfirst introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughoutto refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures.Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference numberor label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in thecontext of the description.

It is well known in the art of color-enhancing polarized lenses thatusing a glass lens wafer within a multiple-layered lens system is usefulto include light-absorbing oxides to create a filter that selectivelytransmits, absorbs and reflects light in specific bands of thevisible-light spectrum, which preferably would correlate with thetristimulus values. The tristimulus values are a guideline for those whowant to improve the art of color-enhancing ophthalmic lenses. In someembodiments, an alternative to using a glass wafer containing one ormore light-absorbing oxides is to use organic dyes withspecific-wavelength absorbent characteristics and add these dyes toeither the adhesive layers or to an ophthalmic plastic substrate such asthe plastic lens material itself or a polarizing filter.

The human eye has three kinds of cone cells that sense light, withspectral-sensitivity peaks in short, middle, and long wavelengths. Thesecone cells underlie human color perception under medium- andhigh-brightness conditions (in very dim light, color vision diminishes,and the low-brightness, monochromatic “night-vision” receptors, calledrod cells, take over). Studies conducted in the connection of themanufacture of artificial lighting have found that human color visionmay be characterized chromatically by three channels. Chromatic responsefalls to near zero in the blue green wavelengths near 500 nm and in theyellow wavelengths near 580 nm, as well as in violet wavelengths near400 nm and in deep red wavelengths beyond 700 nm. The minima may berelated to the fact that the red-green blind protanope sees no hue atall near 500 nm and the tritanope sees no hue near 580 nm. Thesewavelengths impair proper identification of chromaticities of colorobjects. The eye uses wavelengths near 450 nm, 550 nm, and 600 nm mosteffectively. Thus, the importance to have higher transmittance at 450 nm(blue light), 550 nm (green light), and 600 nm (red light), while havinglower transmittance values near 500 nm (transitional band of wavelengthsbetween blue and green) and 580 nm (transitional band of wavelengthsbetween green and red).

It is well known in the art of color-enhancing glass lenses thatneodymium oxide creates an absorption peak between 570 nm and 590 nm.More recently, the art has adopted the use of organic dyes in plasticsubstrates to replicate some of what the glass substrates have achieved.There are organic dyes being produced today that have specificabsorption peaks to cover all bands in the visible spectrum of thispresent invention, including dyes with absorption peaks near 400 nm, 409nm, 419 nm, 425 nm, 430 nm, 439 nm and 584 nm, and others. The firstcolor-enhancing glass polarized lenses provided one or more absorptionpeaks between 570 nm and 590 nm but did not address the rest of thetristimulus values. In fact, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,145,984, 6,334,680,6,604,824, 6,773,816, 7,372,640, 7,597,441, 8,210,678 and plastic-lensU.S. Pat. Nos. 7,506,977, and 8,770,749 only cover sections of thetristimulus values.

In some embodiments, the present invention addresses all five bands, andfurther addresses a sixth band of wavelengths the area of the visiblespectrum between 400 nm and 450 nm. This sixth band includesultra-violet (about 300 nm to about 400 nm, inclusive), violet (about400 nm to about 420 nm, inclusive) and blue light (about 420 nm to about490 nm, inclusive). This actually creates a sixth zone or range ofwavelengths that includes wavelengths that herein will be calledabsorption band one. Only U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,678 addresses the need toreduce light in the sixth zone of violet-blue (VB). Light in absorptionband one (including high-frequency visible light, e.g., 400 nm-420 nm or400 nm-430 nm) can potentially cause “Age Related Macular Degeneration”(AMD) and light in absorption band one can also reduce distant-visionacuity. The present invention absorbs significant portions of thehigh-frequency visible light and balances color perception.

Color-enhancing technology in polarized sunglasses has become readilyavailable on the market place but ophthalmic lenses with color-enhancingfunctions without a polarizing filter are less common. Most patents failto address the absorption of high-frequency visible light while at thesame time using known technology for better, more balanced colorenhancement and definition. Color enhancement visually enhances thedifference in colors giving the wearer increased perception and colorsaturation of objects being viewed. The shortcoming of other spectaclelenses in this field is twofold, first most fail to absorb thehighest-frequency light found in the visible spectrum of absorption bandone, between 400 nm and 430 nm. This high-frequency light tends to bescattered and thus will cause glare and restricts visual perception.Atmospheric contaminants increase the reflections of high frequencyvisible light which in turn will increase glare and the loss of visionand visual perception, diminishing the effects of the color enhancingbenefits. Eliminating or greatly reducing light between 400 nm and 420nm increases contrast, allowing the wearer noticeable increased clarity,and more so when reducing light to 430 nm. Second, no other spectaclelens in the art addresses the bisecting band of light between blue andgreen, near 500 nm. In the art of color enhancing this is a veryimportant band to attenuate light to complete the tristimulus values.

Ultra-violet light (UV) is defined as electromagnetic radiation in thespectral region between 180 and 400 nanometers (nm). The visiblespectrum is found between about 400 nm and 700 nm. High frequencyvisible light can be found in the range of about 400 nm to about 475 nm.Other inventions in this field are asserted to protect the wearer fromonly UV light. Farwig U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 does not address thetransmittance of light from 400 nm to 420 nm, Farwig U.S. Pat. No.7,597,441 describes its light transmittance at 400 nm to be between 50%and 100% of the value of the luminous transmittance of the lens, andtransmittance between 420 nm and 460 nm is 125% of the value of theluminous transmittance of the lens. Tsutsumi U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816shows 0% transmittance at 400 nm but does not address the transmittancebetween 400 nm and 420 nm. Larson U.S. Pat. No. 6,334,680 does notaddress the transmittance of light between 400 nm and 420 nm. LarsonU.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824 does not address the transmittance of lightbetween 400 nm and 420 nm. Fung U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640 shows nearly100% absorption of light to 415 nm in a lens that is 2.0 mm thick, withthe absorbing species evenly dispersed through the thickness of the lensand a 1-mm thickness is required to produce the assembled lens, using a1-mm thick wafer, the Fung lens can only absorb nearly 100% of light to410 nm. Hopnic U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,977 only describes a substantialabsorbance peak found between 565 nm and 605 nm with no description ofany absorbance at about 500 nm. Oakley U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,749 by McCabeet al. only describes absorption peaks in two bands, one being between445 nm and 480 nm and the other between 560 nm and 580 nm. The currentinvention specifically addresses the transmittance of light between 400nm and 430 nm, and absorbs nearly 100% of this high-frequency visiblelight, regardless of lens thickness. None of the above-mentioned patentshave any absorbance peak in the band including 500 nm, nor anyabsorbance peak to 420 nm or 430 nm. Only Farwig U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,678has addressed the spectral wavelengths from 400 nm to 450 nm, but itdoes not address all tristimulus values in the manner of the presentinvention, specifically absorption band two including 500 nm. Incontrast, the Ishak U.S. Pat. No. 7,029,118 (titled “Waterman's sunglasslens”) absorbs nearly 100% of the visible light found between 400 nm and500 nm, this type of transmittance distorts the colors of objects theviewer sees and will not allow the wearer to perceive the color blue.This can also reduce visibility of blue-green or cyan traffic signals atwavelength of 500 nm, which is a hazard for vehicle drivers.

It is further believed in the art of spectacle color-enhancing lensesthat there is no oxide that effectively attenuates light invisible-light absorption band two, which is near 500 nm. Conventionaldevices have an increase in transmittance or a transmittance peak inwavelengths around 500 nm. In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides an absorption peak in this absorption band two by adding anorganic dye. As for absorption band three, it is well known in the artthat the oxide neodymium has an absorption peak at about 585 nm and isused in some current devices.

FIG. 1A is a set of spectral graphs 1110 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curves 110, 120, and 130 at various wavelengths ofthree embodiments of the present invention to light-transmission curves88 and 99 at various wavelengths of a lens according to U.S. Pat. No.8,770,749 (Oakley Prizm Daily) and a modified lens similar to aconventional 580-blocking-only polarized embodiment (e.g., such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,977), respectively. The numbers alongthe X axis of each of the graphs herein represent light wavelengths innanometers (nm), and the numbers along the Y axis represent lighttransmission through the respective lenses expressed as a percentage ofthe incoming light. In some embodiments, curve 130 represents thespectral transmission of a lens embodiment of the present invention thatincludes enhanced narrowband absorption at 500 and 580 nanometers, has aperceived gray tint (due to relatively similar amounts of lighttransmission in the red, green and blue passbands), and is polarized(also referred to herein as “500 & 580 Gray Polarized” lens 13 or “500 &580 Blocking Gray Polarized” lens 13). In some embodiments, curve 120represents the spectral transmission of a lens embodiment of the presentinvention that includes enhanced narrowband absorption at 500 and 580nanometers and is not polarized (also referred to herein as “500 & 580No Polarization” lens 12 or “500 & 580 Blocking No Polarization” lens12). In some embodiments, curve 110 represents the spectral transmissionof a lens embodiment of the present invention that includes absorptionat 500 and 580 nanometers, has a perceived brown tint (due to relativelyhigher amounts of light transmission in the red passband, relativelylower amounts of light transmission in the blue passband), and ispolarized (also referred to herein as “500 & 580 Brown Polarized” lens11). For comparison, curve 88 represents a lens according to U.S. Pat.No. 8,770,749 (also referred to as Prizm Daily). In some embodiments,curve 99 is somewhat similar to a lens according to U.S. Pat. No.7,506,977 (a conventional 580-blocking-only polarized lens that has anabsorption band at 580 nm), except that the spectral curve of the lens99 has been modified relative to the description in U.S. Pat. No.7,506,977 to increase absorption in wavelengths from 400 nanometers to430 nanometers.

FIG. 1A1 is a set of spectral graphs 1111 comparing spectrallight-transmission curves 110, 120, and 130 (each of which exhibitenhanced narrowband absorption at 500 nm and at 580 nm) at variouswavelengths to various narrowband averages (graph horizontal lines 111,112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132 and 133) and wideband averages (graphhorizontal lines 119, 129 and 139) of the light-transmission curves 110,120, and 130 across the various wavelengths.

FIG. 1A2 is a set of spectral graphs 1112 comparing spectrallight-transmission curves 114, 124, and 134 (each of which exhibitenhanced narrowband absorption at 500 nm but not at 580 nm) at variouswavelengths to various narrowband averages (graph horizontal lines 111,112, 113, 121, 122, 123, 131, 132 and 133) and wideband averages (graphhorizontal lines 117, 127 and 137) of the light-transmission curves 114,124, and 134 across the various wavelengths.

FIG. 1A3 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 11 that represents oneembodiment of the 500 & 580 Brown Polarized lens that exhibits thespectral curve 110 as shown in FIG. 1A1 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. In other embodiments, lens 11 represents oneembodiment of the 500-block-only Brown Polarized lens that exhibits thespectral curve 114 as shown in FIG. 1A2 according to some embodiments ofthe present invention. In some embodiments, lens 11 includes apolarization layer 103 sandwiched between front glass wafer 101 and rearglass wafer 102 using rear adhesive layer 104 and front adhesive layer105. In some embodiments, one or both of rear adhesive layer 104 andfront adhesive layer 105 include one or more wavelength-selectiveabsorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, one or more organicdyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band(e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) of wavelengthsaround 500 nm. In addition, in some embodiments, one or both of rearadhesive layer 104 and front adhesive layer 105 include one or morewavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, oneor more organic dyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrowabsorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) ofwavelengths around 580 nm. In some embodiments, one or more additionallens layers or coatings are also applied to lens 11, as set forth belowin the description of FIG. 1G.

In other embodiments, the 500 & 580 Brown Polarized lens 11 isimplemented as a single-layer polymer lens that has polarizationproperties and that also includes one or more wavelength-selectiveabsorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, one or more organicdyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band(e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) of wavelengthsaround 500 nm. In some such embodiments, 500 & 580 Brown Polarized lens11 includes one or more wavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g.,in some embodiments, one or more organic dyes) that preferentiallyabsorb a relatively narrow absorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, arange of about 20 nm) of wavelengths around 580 nm. In otherembodiments, lens 11 is implemented as a single-layer polymer lens (insome embodiments, with polarization and in other embodiments, withoutpolarization) that includes one or more wavelength-selective absorbingorganic dyes that preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorptionband of wavelengths around 500 nm, but which does not have additivesthat preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band ofwavelengths around 580 nm.

FIG. 1A4 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 12 which representsone embodiment of the 500 & 580 No Polarization lens that exhibits thespectral curve 120 of FIG. 1A1 according to the present invention. Inother embodiments, lens 12 represents one embodiment of the500-block-only No Polarization lens that exhibits the spectral curve 124as shown in FIG. 1A2. In some embodiments, lens 12 includes a singleadhesive layer 104 sandwiched between front glass wafer 101 and rearglass wafer 102. In some embodiments, adhesive layer 104 includes one ormore wavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g., in someembodiments, one or more organic dyes) that preferentially absorb arelatively narrow absorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, a range ofabout 20 nm) of wavelengths around 500 nm. In addition, in someembodiments, adhesive layer 104 includes one or morewavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, oneor more organic dyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrowabsorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) ofwavelengths around 580 nm. In some embodiments, one or more additionallens layers or coatings are also applied to lens 12, as set forth belowin the description of FIG. 1G.

In other embodiments, the 500 & 580 No Polarization lens 12 isimplemented as a single-layer polymer lens that has no polarizationproperties and that also includes one or more wavelength-selectiveabsorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, one or more organicdyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band(e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) of wavelengthsaround 500 nm. In some such embodiments, lens 12 includes one or morewavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, oneor more organic dyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrowabsorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) ofwavelengths around 580 nm. In other embodiments, lens 12 is implementedas a single-layer polymer lens without polarization that includes one ormore wavelength-selective absorbing organic dyes that preferentiallyabsorb a relatively narrow absorption band of wavelengths around 500 nm,but which does not have additives that preferentially absorb arelatively narrow absorption band of wavelengths around 580 nm.

FIG. 1A5 is a cross-sectional schematic of a lens 13 which representsone embodiment of the 500 & 580 Gray Polarized lens that exhibits thespectral curve 130 of FIG. 1A1 according to the present invention. Inother embodiments, lens 13 represents one embodiment of the500-block-only No Polarization lens that exhibits the spectral curve 134as shown in FIG. 1A2. The descriptions of components of lens 11 alsoapply to the like-numbered components of lens 13; however, 500 & 580Gray Polarized lens 13 transmits relatively similar average amounts oflight in the red, green and blue passbands (in some embodiments, about19, 15% and 17% in red, green and blue respectively) in contrast to 500& 580 Brown Polarized lens 11, which passes relatively more red and lessblue (in some embodiments, about 25%, 15% and 9% in red, green and bluerespectively).

In other embodiments, the 500 & 580 Gray Polarized lens 13 isimplemented as a single-layer polymer lens that has polarizationproperties and that also includes one or more wavelength-selectiveabsorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, one or more organicdyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band(e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) of wavelengthsaround 500 nm. In some such embodiments, lens 13 includes one or morewavelength-selective absorbing materials (e.g., in some embodiments, oneor more organic dyes) that preferentially absorb a relatively narrowabsorption band (e.g., in some embodiments, a range of about 20 nm) ofwavelengths around 580 nm. In other embodiments, lens 13 (in someembodiments, with polarization and in other embodiments, withoutpolarization) is implemented as a single-layer polymer lens thatincludes one or more wavelength-selective absorbing organic dyes thatpreferentially absorb a relatively narrow absorption band of wavelengthsaround 500 nm, but which does not have additives that preferentiallyabsorb a relatively narrow absorption band of wavelengths around 580 nm.

Referring again to FIG. 1A1, in some embodiments, graphs 1111 includehorizontal lines 121, 122, and 123 that illustrateaverage-passband-transmission percentages at red, green, and blue (RGB),respectively, for one embodiment of 500 & 580 No Polarization lens 12 ofthe present invention (also referred to as the Present Invention NoPolarization (PINP) lens 12) represented by plotted transmission curve120. In some embodiments, as shown on graphs 1111, the RGBpassband-averages for PINP lens 12 are 36% (the average transmission 121of red wavelengths in the range of 600 nm to 640 nm, inclusive,hereinafter referred to as the “primary red passband”), 26% (the averagetransmission 122 of green wavelengths in the range of 520 nm to 560 nm,inclusive, hereinafter referred to as the “primary green passband”), and22% (the average transmission 123 of blue wavelengths in the range of440 nm to 480 nm, inclusive, hereinafter referred to as the “primaryblue passband”).

In some embodiments, graphs 1111 include horizontal lines 111, 112, and113 that illustrate RGB average-passband-transmission percentages forthe 500 & 580 Brown Polarized lens 11 embodiment of the presentinvention represented by plotted transmission curve 110. In someembodiments, as shown on graphs 1111, the RGB passband-averages for 500& 580 Brown Polarized are 25% (primary red passband average transmission111), 15% (primary green passband average transmission 112), and 9%(primary blue passband average transmission 113).

In some embodiments, graphs 1111 include horizontal lines 131, 132, and133 that illustrate RGB average-passband-transmission percentages forthe 500 & 580 Gray Polarized lens 13 embodiment of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, as shown on graphs 1111, the RGBaverages for 500 & 580 Gray Polarized are 19% (primary red passbandaverage transmission 131), 15% (primary green passband averagetransmission 132), and 17% (primary blue passband average transmission133).

In some embodiments, graphs 1111 include horizontal line 129, whichillustrates the average transmission percentage of PINP lens 12 across awavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (i.e., 27% averagetransmission across the wideband visible-light range 400 nm to 700 nm,inclusive). In some embodiments, graphs 1111 include horizontal line119, which illustrates the average transmission percentage of 500 & 580Brown Polarized 11 across a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers(i.e., 17% average transmission across the range 400 nm to 700 nm,inclusive). In some embodiments, graphs 1111 include horizontal line139, which illustrates the average transmission percentage of 500 & 580Gray Polarized lens 13 across a wavelength range of 400 to 700nanometers (i.e., 16% average transmission across the range 400 nm to700 nm, inclusive).

FIG. 1A2 is a set of spectral graphs 1112 comparing spectrallight-transmission curves 114, 124, and 134 at various wavelengths tovarious averages of the light-transmission curves 114, 124, and 134across the various wavelengths. In some embodiments, curves 114, 124,and 134 of FIG. 1A2 are similar to curves 110, 120, and 130 of FIG. 1A1,except that curves 114, 124, and 134 omit the yellow absorption band at580 nm. In some embodiments, curve 134 represents the spectraltransmission of a lens 13 embodiment of the present invention thatincludes absorption at 500 nanometers, has a gray tint, and is polarized(also referred to herein as “500-block-only Gray Polarized”). In someembodiments, curve 124 represents the spectral transmission of a lens 12embodiment of the present invention that includes absorption at 500nanometers and is not polarized (also referred to herein as“500-block-only No Polarization”). In some embodiments, curve 114represents the spectral transmission of a lens 11 embodiment of thepresent invention that includes absorption at 500 nanometers, has abrown tint, and is polarized (also referred to herein as “500-block-onlyBrown Polarized”). In some embodiments, graphs 1112 include horizontallines 121, 122, and 123 that illustrate RGB average-transmissionpercentages (of the primary red passband, the primary green passband,and the primary blue passband, respectively) for the 500-block-only NoPolarization lens 12 embodiment of the present invention. In someembodiments, as shown on graphs 1112, the RGB transmission averages for500-block-only No Polarization lens 12 are 36% (primary red passband),26% (primary green passband), and 22% (primary blue passband). In someembodiments, graphs 1112 include curves 111, 112, and 113 thatillustrate RGB average-transmission percentages (of the primary redpassband, the primary green passband, and the primary blue passband,respectively) for the 500-block-only Brown Polarized lens 11 embodimentof the present invention. In some embodiments, as shown on graphs 1112,the RGB transmission averages for 500-block-only Brown Polarized are 25%(primary red passband), 15% (primary green passband), and 9% (primaryblue passband). In some embodiments, graphs 1112 include curves 131,132, and 133 that illustrate RGB average-transmission percentages forthe 500-block-only Gray Polarized embodiment of the present invention.In some embodiments, as shown on graphs 1112, the RGB transmissionaverages for 500-block-only Gray Polarized are 19% (primary redpassband), 15% (primary green passband), and 17% (primary bluepassband). Horizontal line 117 represents the average transmission ofall wavelengths of light in the range 400 nm to 700 nm through oneembodiment of a brown lens 11 of the present invention (about 18%),horizontal line 127 represents the average transmission of allwavelengths of light in the range 400 nm to 700 nm through oneembodiment of a PINP lens 12 of the present invention (about 29%), andhorizontal line 137 represents the average transmission of allwavelengths of light in the range 400 nm to 700 nm through oneembodiment of a gray lens 13 of the present invention (about 17%).Horizontal line 116 represents 20% times the value of horizontal line117 of a brown lens 11, horizontal line 126 represents 20% times thevalue of horizontal line 127 of a PINP lens 12, and horizontal line 136represents 20% times the value of horizontal line 137 of a gray lens 13.

In some embodiments, graphs 1112 include curve 127, which illustratesthe average transmission percentage of 500-block-only No Polarizationacross a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (i.e., 29%). In someembodiments, graphs 1112 include curve 117, which illustrates theaverage transmission percentage of 500-block-only Brown Polarized acrossa wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (i.e., 18%). In someembodiments, graphs 1112 include curve 137, which illustrates theaverage transmission percentage of 500-block-only Gray Polarized acrossa wavelength range of 400 to 700 nanometers (i.e., 17%).

FIG. 1B is a spectral graph 1120 that illustrates light-transmissioncurve 88 at various wavelengths. Note here that there is no cyanabsorption band that has a local minimum in the range of 490 nm to 510nm; rather there is a severe absorption band at about 475 nm that blocksubstantial amounts of blue light between 460 nm and 490 nm. The lenshas a wideband transmission average of about 24% across the range ofwavelengths from 380 nm to 700 nm.

FIG. 1C1 is a spectral graph 1131 that illustrates light-transmissioncurve 99 at various wavelengths of a lens according to a conventional orcurrent 580-only blocking embodiment. Note here too that there is nocyan absorption band that has a local minimum in the range of 490 nm to510 nm. The yellow enhanced absorption band has a minimum transmissionof 3.2%, and the lens has a wideband transmission average of about 15%across the range of wavelengths from 380 nm to 700 nm.

FIG. 1C2 is a set of spectral graphs 1132 that illustrate details of thespectral graphs set forth in FIG. 1A1. In some embodiments, the y-axisof graphs 1132 is magnified (compared to graphs 1111 of FIG. 1A1) to arange of zero (0) to fifty (50) percent transmission. The horizontalline 128 represents a level of 20% of the value of horizontal line 129that indicates the average transmission from 400 nm to 700 nm of lens12. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a lens thattransmits the wavelengths in the cyan absorption band of 490 nm to 510nm at a level of at least 20% of the average transmission from 400 nm to700 nm of that lens, and that transmit the wavelengths in the yellowabsorption band of 570 nm to 590 nm at a level of at least 20% of theaverage transmission from 400 nm to 700 nm of that lens. In someembodiments, this enhances safety for persons wearing such sunglasseswhile driving vehicles because the lens passes enough of the cyanwavelengths of 490 nm to 510 nm so the user can easily see “green”traffic signals that use cyan LEDs for illumination, and the lens passesenough of the yellow wavelengths of 570 nm to 590 nm so the user caneasily see amber/yellow traffic signals that use yellow LEDs forillumination. The various reference numbers in FIG. 1C2 correspond tothose same numbers in the description of FIG. 1A1.

FIG. 1C3 is a set of spectral graphs 1133 that illustrate details of thespectral graphs set forth in FIG. 1A2. In some embodiments, the y-axisof graphs 1133 is magnified (compared to graphs 1112 of FIG. 1A2) to arange of zero (0) to fifty (50) percent transmission. The variousreference numbers in FIG. 1C3 correspond to those same numbers in thedescription of FIG. 1A2.

FIG. 1D1 is a spectral graph 1141 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 130 at various wavelengths in the range of 380nm to 780 nm of one embodiment of lens 13 of the present invention. Thevarious reference numbers in FIG. 1D1 correspond to those same numbersin the description of FIG. 1A1. Note that the wideband averagetransmission 169 of lens 13 on this graph is computed on the wavelengthrange of 380 nm to 700 nm, which results in a lower average transmission(15%) as compared to the FIG. 1A1 and FIG. 1D2 wideband averagetransmission (16%), which is computed on the wavelength range of 400 nmto 700 nm.

Note that transmission curve 130 has a cyan minimum 165 (of 8.5%transmission) in the range 150 of wavelengths from 490 nm to 510 nm, ablue maximum 163 (of 19% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of bluewavelengths from 440 nm to 490 nm, a green maximum 162 (of 16%transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of green wavelengths from 520 nmto 570 nm, and that for this embodiment, the cyan minimum 165 of 8.5% isabout 55% of the green maximum 162 (of 16%), which is the smaller of theblue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In other embodiments, thecyan minimum 165 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 80% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In otherembodiments, the cyan minimum 165 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 70% of the smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the greenmaximum 162. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 165 is no more than(i.e., less than or equal to) 60% of the smaller of the blue maximum 163and the green maximum 162. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 165 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 50% of the smaller of theblue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In other embodiments, thecyan minimum 165 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In otherembodiments, the cyan minimum 165 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 30% of the smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the greenmaximum 162. In some embodiments, the cyan minimum 165 is no less than(i.e., greater than or equal to) 20% of the 380 nm to 700 nm widebandaverage transmission 169 of lens 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1D1, the cyan absorption band dip has afull-width half-minimum 167 (FWHM′; as distinguished from a full-widthhalf-maximum, or FWHM, of a passband) that is measured at a level ofhalf way between the cyan minimum 165 and the smaller of the bluemaximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In this embodiment, the cyanabsorption band dip FWHM′ 167 is about 22 nm. In some embodiments, thecyan absorption band dip FWHM′ 167 is in a range of about 10 nm to 30nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to 25 nm, more preferably in arange of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet more preferably in a range ofabout 18 nm to 22 nm.

Note also that transmission curve 130 has a yellow minimum 164 (of 5.4%transmission) in the range 140 of yellow wavelengths from 570 nm to 590nm, a red maximum 166 (of 23% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range ofblue wavelengths from 600 nm to 650 nm, and that for this embodiment,the yellow minimum of 5.4% is about 35% of the green maximum 162 (of16%), which is the smaller of the red maximum 166 and the green maximum162. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 164 is no more than (i.e.,less than or equal to) 80% of the smaller of the blue maximum 163 andthe green maximum 162. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 164 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 70% of the smaller of theblue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In other embodiments, theyellow minimum 164 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 60% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In otherembodiments, the yellow minimum 164 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 50% of the smaller of the blue maximum 163 and the greenmaximum 162. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 164 is no morethan (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% of the smaller of the bluemaximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In other embodiments, the yellowminimum 164 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 30% of thesmaller of the blue maximum 163 and the green maximum 162. In someembodiments, the yellow minimum 164 is no less than (i.e., greater thanor equal to) 20% of the 380 nm to 700 nm wideband average transmission169 of lens 13.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1D1, the yellow absorption band dip hasa full-width half-minimum 168 (FWHM′ 168) that is measured at a level ofhalf way between the yellow minimum 164 and the smaller of the redmaximum 166 and the green maximum 162. In this embodiment, the yellowabsorption band dip FWHM′ 168 is about 18 nm. In some embodiments, theyellow absorption band dip FWHM′ 168 is in a range of about 10 nm to 30nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to 25 nm, more preferably in arange of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet more preferably in a range ofabout 18 nm to 22 nm.

FIG. 1D2 is a set of spectral graphs 1142 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 130 of a gray polarized lens 13 at variouswavelengths to various narrowband and wideband averages of the spectrallight-transmission curve 130 across the various wavelengths. In someembodiments, transmission curve 130 has a blue passband averagetransmission 133 (in this case about 17%) for wavelengths in the 40nm-wide range 440 nm to 480 nm, a green passband average transmission132 (in this case about 15%) for wavelengths in the 40 nm-wide range 520nm to 560 nm, and a red passband average transmission 131 (in this caseabout 19%) for wavelengths in the 40 nm-wide range 600 nm to 640 nm. Thewideband average transmission horizontal line 139 (in this case, about16%) is measured over the range of wavelengths 400 nm to 700 nm, and thehorizontal line 138 represents 20% of the value 139 (in this case, about3.2%).

In contrast to the absorption-band-width definitions set forth for FIG.1D1, FIG. 1D2 provides slightly different definitions that utilizeformulae based on the average passband transmission values measured over40-nm-wide passbands that are on either side of the cyan and yellowabsorption bands. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1D2, the cyanabsorption band dip has a full-width half-dip 177 (FWHD; asdistinguished from FWHM′ described above) that is measured at a level ofhalf way between the cyan minimum 165, and the smaller of the bluepassband average 133 and the green passband average 132. In thisembodiment, the cyan absorption band dip FWHD 167 is about 21 nm. Insome embodiments, the cyan absorption band dip FWHD 177 is in a range ofabout 10 nm to 30 nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to 25 nm,more preferably in a range of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet morepreferably in a range of about 18 nm to 22 nm. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1D1, the yellow absorption band dip has a FWHM′ 168 that ismeasured at a level of half way between the yellow minimum 164 and thesmaller of the red passband average 131 and the green passband average132. In this embodiment, the yellow absorption band dip FWHD 178 isabout 17 nm. In some embodiments, the yellow absorption band dip FWHD168 is in a range of about 10 nm to 30 nm; preferably in a range ofabout 15 nm to 25 nm, more preferably in a range of about 17 nm to 23nm, and yet more preferably in a range of about 18 nm to 22 nm.

FIG. 1D3 is a set of spectral graphs 1143 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 134 of a gray 500 nm-only lens 13 at variouswavelengths to various averages of the spectral light-transmission curve134 across the various wavelengths. Curve 134 represents a gray sunglasslens that has a cyan absorption band but substantially no yellowabsorption band (i.e., the light transmission for any wavelengths in therange of 570 nm to 590 nm is no less than 90% of the average of thegreen passband average transmission 132 for wavelengths in the range 520nm to 560 nm and the red passband average transmission 131 forwavelengths in the range 600 nm to 640 nm. Other than the lack of ayellow absorption band, curve 134 for gray 500 nm-only lens 13 issubstantially the same as set forth in the description of FIG. 1D2.

FIG. 1E1 is a spectral graph 1151 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 120 of a no-polarization lens 12 at variouswavelengths according to one embodiment of the present invention. Thevarious reference numbers in FIG. 1E1 correspond to those same numbersin the description of FIG. 1A1. Note that the wideband averagetransmission 179 of lens 12 on this graph is computed on the wavelengthrange of 380 nm to 780 nm, which results in a higher averagetransmission (35%) as compared to the FIG. 1A1 and FIG. 1E2 widebandaverage transmission 129 (27%), which is computed on the wavelengthrange of 400 nm to 700 nm.

Note that transmission curve 120 has a cyan minimum 175 (of 5.7%transmission) in the range 150 of wavelengths from 490 nm to 510 nm, ablue maximum 173 (of ˜30% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of bluewavelengths from 440 nm to 490 nm, a green maximum 172 (of ˜31%transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of green wavelengths from 520 nmto 570 nm, and that for this embodiment, the cyan minimum 175 of 5.7% isabout 19% of the green maximum 172 (of ˜31%), which is the smaller ofthe blue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In other embodiments,the cyan minimum 175 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 80%of the smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. Inother embodiments, the cyan minimum 175 is no more than (i.e., less thanor equal to) 70% of the smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the greenmaximum 172. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 175 is no more than(i.e., less than or equal to) 60% of the smaller of the blue maximum 173and the green maximum 172. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 175 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 50% of the smaller of theblue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In other embodiments, thecyan minimum 175 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In otherembodiments, the cyan minimum 175 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 30% of the smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the greenmaximum 172. In some embodiments, the cyan minimum 175 is no less than(i.e., greater than or equal to) 20% of the 400 nm to 700 nm widebandaverage transmission 129 of lens 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E1, the cyan absorption band dip FWHD177 that is measured at a level of half way between the cyan minimum 165and the smaller of the blue average 123 and the green average 122. Inthis embodiment, the cyan absorption band dip FWHD 177 is about 27 nm.In some embodiments, the cyan absorption band dip FWHD 177 is in a rangeof about 10 nm to 30 nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to 25 nm,more preferably in a range of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet morepreferably in a range of about 18 nm to 22 nm.

Note also that transmission curve 120 has a yellow minimum 174 (of 4.1%transmission) in the range 140 of yellow wavelengths from 570 nm to 590nm, a red maximum 171 (of 47% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range ofblue wavelengths from 600 nm to 650 nm, and that for this embodiment,the yellow minimum 174 of 4.1% is about 13% of the green maximum 172 (of˜31%), which is the smaller of the red maximum 171 and the green maximum172. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 174 is no more than (i.e.,less than or equal to) 80% of the smaller of the blue maximum 173 andthe green maximum 172. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 174 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 70% of the smaller of theblue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In other embodiments, theyellow minimum 174 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 60% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In otherembodiments, the yellow minimum 174 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 50% of the smaller of the blue maximum 173 and the greenmaximum 172. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 174 is no morethan (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% of the smaller of the bluemaximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In other embodiments, the yellowminimum 174 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 30% of thesmaller of the blue maximum 173 and the green maximum 172. In someembodiments, the yellow minimum 174 is no less than (i.e., greater thanor equal to) 20% of the 400 nm to 700 nm wideband average transmission129 of lens 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1E1, the yellow absorption band FWHD 178that is measured at a level of half way between the yellow minimum 174and the smaller of the red average 121 and the green average 122. Inthis embodiment, the yellow absorption band dip FWHD 178 is about 20 nm.In some embodiments, the yellow absorption band dip FWHD 178 is in arange of about 10 nm to 30 nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to25 nm, more preferably in a range of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet morepreferably in a range of about 18 nm to 22 nm.

FIG. 1E2 is a set of spectral graphs 1152 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 120 of a 500 & 580 PINP lens 12 at variouswavelengths to various averages of the spectral light-transmission curve120 across the various wavelengths. The various reference numbers inFIG. 1E2 correspond to those same numbers in the description of FIG. 1A1and FIG. 1E1. Curve 120 represents a lens 12 that passes more blue andgreen light than a polarized lens such as represented by curves 130 and110 of FIG. 1A1. In some embodiments, the primary red passband average121 is about 36% over the red wavelength range 600 nm to 640 nm, theprimary green passband average 122 is about 26% over the greenwavelength range 520 nm to 560 nm, and the primary blue passband average123 is about 22% over the blue wavelength range 600 nm to 640 nm. Thewideband transmission average 129 (about 27%) is measured over thevisible-light wavelength range 400 nm to 700 nm, and the horizontal line128 (at about 5.4%) is 20% times the value of wideband transmissionaverage 129. In some embodiments, (not shown here), both the cyanminimum 175 and the yellow minimum 174 are no less than the value 128(20% times wideband transmission average 129).

FIG. 1E3 is a set of spectral graphs 1153 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 124 of a 500-block-only PINP lens 12 at variouswavelengths to various averages of the spectral light-transmission curve124 across the various wavelengths. Curve 124 represents a non-polarizedsunglass lens that has a cyan absorption band but substantially noyellow absorption band (i.e., the light transmission for any wavelengthsin the range of 570 nm to 590 nm is no less than 90% of the average ofthe green passband average transmission 122 for wavelengths in the range520 nm to 560 nm and the red passband average transmission 121 forwavelengths in the range 600 nm to 640 nm. Other than the lack of ayellow absorption band, curve 124 for PINP 500 nm-only lens 12 issubstantially the same as set forth in the description of FIG. 1E2.

FIG. 1F1 is a spectral graph 1161 that illustrates the spectrallight-transmission curve 110 for a brown-tint polarized lens 11 atvarious wavelengths, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. The various reference numbers in FIG. 1F1 correspond to thosesame numbers in the description of FIG. 1A1. Note that the widebandaverage transmission 189 of lens 11 on this graph is computed on thewavelength range of 380 nm to 700 nm, which results in an averagetransmission (about 16%), which is lower than the wideband averagetransmission 119 (about 17%) of lens 11 on FIG. 1E2 that is computed onthe wavelength range of 400 nm to 700 nm.

Note that transmission curve 110 has a cyan minimum 185 (of 5.9%transmission) in the range 150 of wavelengths from 490 nm to 510 nm, ablue maximum 183 (of ˜10% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of bluewavelengths from 440 nm to 490 nm, a green maximum 182 (of ˜17%transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range of green wavelengths from 520 nmto 570 nm, and that for this embodiment, the cyan minimum 185 of 5.9% isabout 60% of the blue maximum 183 (of ˜10%), which is the smaller of theblue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In other embodiments, thecyan minimum 185 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 80% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In otherembodiments, the cyan minimum 185 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 70% of the smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the greenmaximum 182. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 185 is no more than(i.e., less than or equal to) 60% of the smaller of the blue maximum 183and the green maximum 182. In other embodiments, the cyan minimum 185 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 50% of the smaller of theblue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In other embodiments, thecyan minimum 185 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In otherembodiments, the cyan minimum 185 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 30% of the smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the greenmaximum 182. In some embodiments, the cyan minimum 185 is no less than(i.e., greater than or equal to) 20% of the 400 nm to 700 nm widebandaverage transmission 119 of lens 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG.1E1, the cyan absorption band dip FWHM′ 187 that is measured at a levelof half way between the cyan minimum 165 and the smaller of the blueaverage 113 and the green average 112. In this embodiment, the cyanabsorption band dip FWHM′ 187 is about 19 nm. In some embodiments, thecyan absorption band dip FWHM′ 187 is in a range of about 10 nm to 30nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to 25 nm, more preferably in arange of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet more preferably in a range ofabout 18 nm to 22 nm.

Note also that transmission curve 110 has a yellow minimum 184 (of 7.1%transmission) in the range 140 of yellow wavelengths from 570 nm to 590nm, a red maximum 181 (of ˜30% transmission) in the 50 nm-wide range ofblue wavelengths from 600 nm to 650 nm, and that for this embodiment,the yellow minimum 184 of 7.1% is about 42% of the green maximum 182 (of˜17%), which is the smaller of the red maximum 181 and the green maximum182. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 184 is no more than (i.e.,less than or equal to) 80% of the smaller of the blue maximum 183 andthe green maximum 182. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 184 isno more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 70% of the smaller of theblue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In other embodiments, theyellow minimum 184 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 60% ofthe smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In otherembodiments, the yellow minimum 184 is no more than (i.e., less than orequal to) 50% of the smaller of the blue maximum 183 and the greenmaximum 182. In other embodiments, the yellow minimum 184 is no morethan (i.e., less than or equal to) 40% of the smaller of the bluemaximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In other embodiments, the yellowminimum 184 is no more than (i.e., less than or equal to) 30% of thesmaller of the blue maximum 183 and the green maximum 182. In someembodiments, the yellow minimum 184 is no less than (i.e., greater thanor equal to) 20% of the 400 nm to 700 nm wideband average transmission119 of lens 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1F1, the yellow absorption band FWHM′188 that is measured at a level of half way between the yellow minimum184 and the smaller of the red average 181 and the green average 182. Inthis embodiment, the yellow absorption band dip FWHD 188 is about 18 nm.In some embodiments, the yellow absorption band dip FWHM′ 188 is in arange of about 10 nm to 30 nm; preferably in a range of about 15 nm to25 nm, more preferably in a range of about 17 nm to 23 nm, and yet morepreferably in a range of about 18 nm to 22 nm.

FIG. 1F2 is a set of spectral graphs 1162 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 110 at various wavelengths to various averagesof the spectral light-transmission curve 110 across the variouswavelengths. The various reference numbers in FIG. 1F2 correspond tothose same numbers in the description of FIG. 1A1 and FIG. 1F1. Curve110 represents a brown-tinted lens 11 that passes less blue and more redlight than a polarized gray-tinted lens such as represented by curves130 of FIG. 1A1. In some embodiments, the primary red passband average111 is about 25% over the red wavelength range 600 nm to 640 nm, theprimary green passband average 112 is about 15% over the greenwavelength range 520 nm to 560 nm, and the primary blue passband average113 is about 9% over the blue wavelength range 600 nm to 640 nm. Thewideband transmission average 119 (about 17%) is measured over thevisible-light wavelength range 400 nm to 700 nm, and the horizontal line118 (at about 3.4%) is 20% times the value of wideband transmissionaverage 119. In some embodiments, both the cyan minimum 185 and theyellow minimum 184 are no less than the value 118 (20% times widebandtransmission average 119).

FIG. 1F3 is a set of spectral graphs 1163 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 114 of a 500-block-only Brown lens 11 atvarious wavelengths to various averages of the spectrallight-transmission curve 114 across the various wavelengths. Curve 114represents a non-polarized sunglass lens that has a cyan absorption bandbut substantially no yellow absorption band (i.e., the lighttransmission for any wavelengths in the range of 570 nm to 590 nm is noless than 90% of the average of the green passband average transmission112 for wavelengths in the range 520 nm to 560 nm and the red passbandaverage transmission 111 for wavelengths in the range 600 nm to 640 nm.Other than the lack of a yellow absorption band, curve 114 for500-block-only Brown lens 11 is substantially the same as set forth inthe description of FIG. 1F2.

FIG. 1G (representing an assembled lens drawing) is a cross section viewof a two-wafer system 1170 according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. In some embodiments, front wafer 101 and rear wafer 102 arelaminated to each face of polarized film 103 with adhesive layer 104 andadhesive layer 105. In some embodiments, the concave or convex surfaceof front wafer 101 includes a mirror coating 106. In some embodiments,the concave surface of rear wafer 102 includes an optionalanti-reflection coating. Some preferred embodiments include hydrophobiccoatings on the outer surfaces of the assembled lens system. In someembodiments, it is preferred that the wafer that includes added oxidesto manage the transmittance and absorption of visible light is used asthe rear wafer 102 of the lens system (designated in FIG. 1A3, FIG. 1A4,FIG. 1A5, and FIG. 1G as rear wafer 102).

FIG. 2 (showing what is called herein as the tristimulus curve 210) is agraph 200 of spectral sensitivity versus wavelength detailing the peaksensitivity curves for color vision. Blue sensitivity is designated aszone B, green sensitivity is designated as zone G, and red sensitivityis designated as zone R. The BG crossover 214 of wavelength-sensitivitycurves of the blue cones and green cones of the human eye occurs atabout 500 nm, so by creating an absorption peak near 500 nm, the presentinvention will better separate the distinction between blue and green,increasing contrast and/or improving the pleasurable perception of thetwo colors blue and green. In some embodiments, adding to the lens anorganic dye whose peak absorbance is near 500 nm creates the functionalabsorbance peak desired in the present invention. The GR crossover 215of wavelength-sensitivity curves of the green cones and red cones of thehuman eye occurs at about 580 nm, so by creating an absorption peak near580 nm, the present invention will better separate the distinctionbetween green and red, increasing contrast and/or improving thepleasurable perception of the two colors green and red.

FIG. 3A is a set of spectral graphs 301 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 360 and 370 at various wavelengths of twoembodiments of the present invention to tristimulus curves 211, 212 and213. In some embodiments, the embodiment represented by curve 370 allowsmore shorter-wavelength blue light at wavelengths 430 nm to 450 nm topass than the embodiment of curve 360, but reduces light transmittanceat the red wavelengths 610 nm-700 nm and the IR wavelengths from 700nm-780 nm. In this and in later figures, the small shaded box below 450nm to 460 nm represents the approximate range of peak blue sensitivityof the human eye, the small shaded box below 550 nm to 560 nm representsthe approximate range of peak green sensitivity of the human eye, andthe small shaded box below 600 nm to 610 nm represents the approximaterange of peak red sensitivity of the human eye

FIG. 3B is a set of spectral graphs 302 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curves 340 and 350 at various wavelengths of twoembodiments of the present invention to light transmission 310 atvarious wavelengths of a “clear” lens. In some embodiments, theembodiment represented by curve 340 does not include a polarizing filmand allows much more blue light at wavelengths 430 nm to 460 nm, muchmore green light at wavelengths 530 nm to 560 nm and much more red lightat wavelengths 600 nm to 700 nm to pass than the embodiment of curve 350which does include a polarizing film, but reduces light in the IRwavelengths from 740 nm-770 nm.

FIG. 3C is a set of spectral graphs 303 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 321 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Farwig's U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441. The Farwig lenshas a sharp cut on at about 380 nm and jumps to about 42% transmissionat 400 nm, as detailed by the rectangular box 322, while at 430 nm thetransmission 323 further jumps to 64%. These two spectral data pointsare significantly higher than the embodiment of the current inventionset forth by spectral light-transmission curve 330. This U.S. Pat. No.7,597,441 utilizes praseodymium to control the spectral transmissionbetween 420 nm and 460 nm, while this embodiment of the currentinvention set forth by spectral light-transmission curve 330 does notrequire this praseodymium to create a continued increase of lighttransmission from about 430 nm to about 460 nm.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides nearly completeblocking of light having wavelengths in the range 400 nm-420 nm,inclusive (e.g., in some embodiments, the average transmittance ofwavelengths in the range 400 nm-420 nm shown by box 332 is less than 10%of the average visible transmittance of the assembled lens (i.e.,average transmittance over wavelengths 400 nm-700 nm)). In someembodiments, the present invention provides substantial blocking oflight having wavelengths in the range 420 nm-430 nm, inclusive (e.g., insome embodiments, the average transmittance of wavelengths in the range420 nm-430 nm shown by box 333 is less than 20% of the average visibletransmittance of the assembled lens (i.e., average transmittance overwavelengths 400 nm-700 nm)). In some embodiments, the present inventionprovides a partial reduction of transmission of light having wavelengthsin the range 480 nm-510 nm, inclusive (e.g., in some embodiments, theaverage transmittance of wavelengths in the range 480 nm-510 nm shown bybox 335 is less than the average transmittance of wavelengths in therange 450 nm-470 nm shown by box 334 and between 10% and 85% of theaverage visible transmittance of the assembled lens (i.e., averagetransmittance over wavelengths 400 nm-700 nm)). In some otherembodiments, the average transmittance of wavelengths in the range 480nm-510 nm shown by box 335 is less than the average transmittance ofwavelengths in the range 440 nm-470 nm (a larger range of wavelengthsthan shown by box 334) and between 20% and 85% of the average visibletransmittance of the assembled lens (i.e., average transmittance overwavelengths 400 nm-700 nm). In some other embodiments, the averagetransmittance of wavelengths in the range 490 nm-510 nm (a smaller rangeof wavelengths than shown by box 335) is less than the averagetransmittance of wavelengths in the range 440 nm-470 nm (a larger rangeof wavelengths than shown by box 334) and between 10% and 85% of theaverage visible transmittance of the assembled lens (i.e., averagetransmittance over wavelengths 400 nm-700 nm). In some embodiments, thepresent invention provides a partial reduction of transmission of lighthaving wavelengths in the range 570 nm-590 nm, inclusive (e.g., in someembodiments, the average transmittance of wavelengths in the range 570nm-590 nm shown by box 337 is less than the average transmittance ofwavelengths in the range 530 nm-560 nm shown by box 336 and between 10%and 85% of the average visible transmittance of the assembled lens(i.e., average transmittance over wavelengths 400 nm-700 nm)).

FIG. 4 is a set of spectral graphs 400 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 421 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Tsutsumi's U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816. The set ofspectral graphs 400 detail in particular the disparity of spectralreadings between 380 nm and 525 nm. The Tsutsumi graph 421 details lighttransmission of a lens of 2.2-mm thickness and 1.5-mm thickness. The2.2-mm-thick lens has a spectral reading of about 0% at 400 nm but whenreducing the thickness of this lens to 1.5 mm, the transmission jumps to70%. At a wavelength of 430 nm, the lens according to Tsutsumi U.S. Pat.No. 6,773,816 is 1.5-mm-thick lens that has 23% transmission while the2.2 mm thick lens has a transmission of 2.5%. The Tsutsumi lens does notaddress zone BG (the absorption band at about 500 nm between blue andgreen according to the present invention) and has no absorption peak asrequired by the tristimulus values for some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a set of spectral graphs 500 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 521 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Larson's U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824. The twoimprovements of this embodiment 330 of current invention over LarsonU.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824 include the optional increased absorption from410 nm through 440 nm. In Larson U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824 there is nodiscussion addressing wavelengths in this region. Further, the secondimprovement in the present invention illustrated by curve 330 is anabsorption peak found between 480 and 510 nm. This improvement creates alower transmittance at 500 nm than at 450 nm, which is contrary to theteaching of Larson '824. In some embodiments, the way this is achievedis by adding organic dyes to either the polarized film or the adhesiveor both. Two such dyes used in some embodiments are Exciton ABS 419 (anarrow-band visible light absorber available from Exiton, P.O. Box31126, Dayton, Ohio, 45437 USA, or at www.exciton.com) or OrcosolveChinoline (a light absorber available from Orco, 65 Valley Street, EastProvidence, R.I., 02914 USA or at www.organicdye.com/dyes/solvent-dyes).The second improvement in the present invention is the absorption peakcreated between 470 nm and 510 nm, (see the rectangle box 532 of FIGS. 5and 532 and 1032 of FIG. 10A outlining the spectral section). Box 533shows the absorption band centered at about 580 nm according to someembodiments of the present invention that matches that of Larson U.S.Pat. No. 6,604,824. In some embodiments, by adding an organic dye suchas Exciton's P491 to the adhesive, this absorption peak is achieved.

FIG. 6 is the set of spectral graphs 600 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 621 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to Fung's U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640. Fung U.S. Pat.No. 7,372,640 describes similar or the same oxides in one of its wafersas this current invention's glass wafer. Both wafers will absorb lightat short wavelengths from less than 400 nm and up to 415 nm. In someembodiments, the current invention adds an organic dye to increaseabsorbance in the range from 400 nm to 440 nm, which is not described byFung. The second difference between Fung U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640 andthis current invention is the absorbance peak in the present inventionbetween 470 nm and 510 nm (i.e., wavelengths in the range shown by box532 of FIG. 5). Fung's U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640 is not concerned withthis spectral range and in fact when viewing FIG. 6, the transmittance alens according to of Fung's U.S. Pat. No. 7,372,640, the transmittanceof Fung's lens system and embodiments of present invention are reversedbetween 480 nm and 510 nm.

FIG. 7 is the set of spectral graphs 700 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 721 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 describes three maximumtransmittal peaks and two minimum transmittal peaks. The specific zonesfor the three maximum peaks are said to be between 420 nm and 460 nm,480 nm and 520 nm, 610 nm and 650 nm. The minimum transmittal peak zonesare said to be between 460 nm and 480 nm, 520 nm and 610 nm. Thewavelength range from 300 nm to 420 nm is not addressed. The obviousdifference between the current invention and MJ 984 is the currentinventions from 480 nm to 510 nm have a minimum transmittance between20% and 90% of the luminous transmission of the assembled lens system.U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,984 shows a maximum peak transmission in this samezone of at least 125% of the luminous transmission of the assembled lenssystem.

FIG. 8 is the set of spectral graphs 800 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 821 at various wavelengthsof a lens according to a typical sunglass lens. This embodiment 330 ofthe current invention has three specific zones of reduced transmission(depression) as compared to the typical sunglass lens: the first is forwavelengths between 400 nm and 430 nm, the second is for wavelengths atabout 500 nm, and the third is for wavelengths at about 580 nm.

FIG. 9 is the set of spectral graphs 900 comparing the spectrallight-transmission curve 330 at various wavelengths of one embodiment ofthe present invention to light transmission 930 at various wavelengthsof a sunglass lens according to a sunglass lens according to anotherembodiment of the present invention details the correspondingtransmittance peaks and absorbance peaks between the tristimulus valuesand this current invention.

FIG. 10A is a set of graphs 1001 that compares the sets of absorptionand transmittance bands of various embodiments of the current invention,including sets 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, and 1035, to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the absorption and transmittance bands 1021 of U.S.Pat. No. 6,145,984.

In some embodiments, each of these sets 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, and 1035of absorption and transmittance bands include an optional stop band1099, shown in lighter shading) that blocks some or all of the lighthaving infrared wavelengths between 700 nm and 800 nm (i.e., in someembodiments, optional stop band 1099 has a shortest-wavelength cut-onwavelength between about 700 nm and 800 nm and a longest-blockedwavelength that is longer than the shortest-wavelength cut-onwavelength).

In some embodiments, each of the cyan reduction bands (1040 or 1044) ofFIG. 10A transmits substantially all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515nm, in an amount of at least about 10% of the average transmittance ofthe lens at all wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm, and each of theyellow reduction bands (1050 or 1054) of FIG. 10A transmitssubstantially all wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm, in an amount ofat least about 10% of the average transmittance of the lens at allwavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm. In some embodiments, the set 1031of absorption and transmittance bands includes a violet-stop band 1022that blocks at least 95% of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 420 nm(relative to the average lens transmission of wavelengths between 400 nmand 700 nm), a cyan-reduction band 1040 that blocks at least 50% butless than 75% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm (relative tothe average lens transmission of wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm),and a yellow-reduction band 1050 that blocks at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm (relative to theaverage lens transmission of wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm). (Inthe following paragraphs describing the absorption bands shown in FIG.10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C, and FIG. 10D, the description of the percentageblocked in each subband is a percentage relative to the average lenstransmission of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm.)

In some embodiments, the set 1032 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop band 1022 that blocks at least 95% of allwavelengths between 400 nm and 430 nm, a cyan-reduction band 1040 thatblocks at least 50% but less than 75% of all wavelengths between 480 nmand 515 nm, and a yellow-reduction band 1050 that blocks at least 75%but less than 95% of all wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1033 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop band 1023 that blocks at least 95% of allwavelengths between 400 nm and 440 nm, a cyan-reduction band 1040 thatblocks at least 50% but less than 75% of all wavelengths between 480 nmand 515 nm, and a yellow-reduction band 1050 that blocks at least 75%but less than 95% of all wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1034 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop-and-reduction band 1024 that blocks at least 95%of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 420 nm, at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 420 nm and 430 nm, at least 50% but lessthan 75% of all wavelengths between 430 nm and 440 nm, and at least 25%but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 440 nm and 450 nm, acyan-reduction band 1044 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm and at least 25% but less than50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and a yellow-reductionband 1054 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of all wavelengthsbetween 580 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of allwavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1035 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop-and-reduction band 1025 that blocks at least 95%of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 425 nm, at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 425 nm and 435 nm, at least 50% but lessthan 75% of all wavelengths between 435 nm and 440 nm, and at least 25%but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 440 nm and 450 nm, acyan-reduction band 1044 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm and at least 25% but less than50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and a yellow-reductionband 1054 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of all wavelengthsbetween 580 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of allwavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm.

FIG. 10B is a set of graphs 1002 that compare the sets 1036, 1037, 1038,1039, and 1040 of absorption and transmittance bands of variousembodiments of the current invention to the tristimulus values 1010.

In some embodiments, the set 1036 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a cyan-reduction band 1044 that blocks at least 75% but lessthan 95% of all wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm and at least 25%but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and ayellow-reduction band 1054 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% but less than50% of all wavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm (this embodiment omitsthe violet-stop-and/or-reduction band).

In some embodiments, the set 1037 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop band 1026 that blocks at least 95% of allwavelengths between 400 nm and 440 nm, a cyan-reduction band 1045 thatblocks at least 75% but less than 95% of all wavelengths between 490 nmand 510 nm, at least 50% but less than 75% of all wavelengths between480 nm and 490 nm, and at least 25% but less than 50% of all wavelengthsbetween 510 nm and 515 nm, and a yellow-reduction band 1054 that blocksat least 75% but less than 95% of all wavelengths between 580 nm and 590nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 570 nmand 600 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1038 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop-and-reduction band 1027 that blocks at least 95%of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 420 nm, at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 420 nm and 430 nm, at least 50% but lessthan 75% of all wavelengths between 430 nm and 440 nm, and at least 25%but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 440 nm and 450 nm, acyan-reduction band 1046 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm, and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and ayellow-reduction band 1054 that blocks at least 75% of all wavelengthsbetween 580 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of allwavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1039 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop-and-reduction band 1027 that blocks at least 95%of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 425 nm, at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 425 nm and 435 nm, at least 50% but lessthan 75% of all wavelengths between 435 nm and 440 nm, and at least 25%but less than 50% of all wavelengths between 440 nm and 450 nm, acyan-reduction band 1046 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm, and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and ayellow-reduction band 1054 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 580 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% but less than50% of all wavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm.

In some embodiments, the set 1040 of absorption and transmittance bandsincludes a violet-stop-and-reduction band 1027 that blocks at least 95%of all wavelengths between 400 nm and 430 nm, at least 75% but less than95% of all wavelengths between 430 nm and 440 nm, and at least 25% butless than 50% of all wavelengths between 440 nm and 450 nm, acyan-reduction band 1046 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm, and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of all wavelengths between 480 nm and 515 nm, and ayellow-reduction band 1047 that blocks at least 75% but less than 95% ofall wavelengths between 580 nm and 590 nm.

FIG. 10C is a set of graphs 1003 that compare various optionalabsorption subbands of various embodiments of the current invention tothe tristimulus values 1010.

FIG. 10D is a set of graphs 1004 that compare various optionalabsorption subbands of various embodiments of the current invention tothe tristimulus values 1010.

For the various optional absorption subbands shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D,some embodiments choose one variation from each of the four columns, andthus use:

-   -   one of the violet-stop-and-reduction bands (1011, 1012, 1013,        1014, or 1015 of FIG. 10C, or 1010 (i.e., an embodiment that        does not substantially block (i.e., less than 25% blockage)        light having wavelengths between 400 nm and 450 nm), 1016, 1017,        1018, or 1019 of FIG. 10D);    -   one of the cyan-reduction bands (1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, or 1065        of FIG. 10C, or 1060 (i.e., an embodiment that does not        substantially block (i.e., less than 25% blockage) light having        wavelengths between 480 nm and 520 nm), 1066, 1067, 1068, or        1069 of FIG. 10D);    -   one of the yellow-reduction bands (1071, 1072, 1073, 1074, or        1075 of FIG. 10C, or 1070 (i.e., an embodiment that does not        substantially block (i.e., less than 25% blockage) light having        wavelengths between 560 nm and 600 nm), 1076, 1077, 1078, or        1079 of FIG. 10D); and    -   one of the long-wavelength-red-reduction-or-blocking bands        (1081, 1082, 1083, 1084, or 1085 of FIG. 10C, or 1080 (i.e., an        embodiment that does not substantially block (i.e., less than        25% blockage) light having wavelengths between 640 nm and 700        nm), 1086, 1087, 1088, or 1089 of FIG. 10D).

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10C), violet-stop band 1011 blocks atleast 95% of light having wavelengths between 390 nm and 400 nm;violet-stop band 1012 blocks at least 95% of light having wavelengthsbetween 390 nm and 410 nm; violet-stop band 1013 blocks at least 95% oflight having wavelengths between 390 nm and 420 nm;violet-stop-and-reduction band 1014 blocks at least 95% of light havingwavelengths between 390 nm and 420 nm and at least 75% but less than 95%of light having wavelengths between 420 nm and 430 nm; andviolet-stop-and-reduction band 1015 blocks at least 95% of light havingwavelengths between 390 nm and 420 nm and at least 75% but less than 95%of light having wavelengths between 420 nm and 440 nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10D), violet-passing band 1010 is anembodiment that does not substantially block (i.e., less than 25%blockage) light having wavelengths between 400 nm and 450 nm);violet-stop-and-reduction band 1016 blocks at least 95% of light havingwavelengths between 390 nm and 410 nm and at least 75% but less than 95%of light having wavelengths between 410 nm and 420 nm and at least 50%but less than 75% of light having wavelengths between 420 nm and 430 nm;violet-stop-and-reduction band 1017 blocks at least 95% of light havingwavelengths between 390 nm and 410 nm and at least 75% but less than 95%of light having wavelengths between 410 nm and 420 nm and at least 50%but less than 75% of light having wavelengths between 420 nm and 425 nmand at least 25% but less than 50% of light having wavelengths between425 nm and 435 nm; violet-stop-and-reduction band 1018 blocks at least95% of light having wavelengths between 390 nm and 410 nm and at least50% but less than 75% of light having wavelengths between 410 nm and 420nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of light having wavelengthsbetween 420 nm and 430 nm; and violet-stop-and-reduction band 1019blocks at least 95% of light having wavelengths between 390 nm and 420nm and at least 25% but less than 50% of light having wavelengthsbetween 420 nm and 430 nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10C), cyan-reduction band 1061 blocks atleast 75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 485 nmand 505 nm, cyan-reduction band 1062 blocks at least 75% but less than95% of light having wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm,cyan-reduction band 1063 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 495 nm and 515 nm, cyan-reduction band 1064blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengthsbetween 500 nm and 520 nm, and cyan-reduction band 1065 blocks at least75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 495 nm and 510nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10D), cyan-passing band 1060 is anembodiment that does not substantially block (i.e., less than 25%blockage) light having wavelengths between 480 nm and 520 nm);cyan-reduction band 1066 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 485 nm and 505 nm and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of light having wavelengths between 480 nm and 510 nm;cyan-reduction band 1067 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 490 nm and 510 nm and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of light having wavelengths between 485 nm and 515 nm;cyan-reduction band 1068 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 495 nm and 515 nm and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of light having wavelengths between 490 nm and 520 nm; andcyan-reduction band 1069 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 495 nm and 510 nm and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of light having wavelengths between 490 nm and 515 nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10C), yellow-reduction band 1071 blocks atleast 75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 565 nmand 585 nm; yellow-reduction band 1072 blocks at least 75% but less than95% of light having wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm;yellow-reduction band 1073 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% oflight having wavelengths between 575 nm and 595 nm; yellow-reductionband 1074 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of light havingwavelengths between 580 nm and 600 nm; and yellow-reduction band 1075blocks at least 75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengthsbetween 575 nm and 590 nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10D), yellow-passing band 1070 is anembodiment that does not substantially block (i.e., less than 25%blockage) light having wavelengths between 560 nm and 600 nm;yellow-reduction band 1076 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% oflight having wavelengths between 565 nm and 585 nm and at least 25% butless than 50% of light having wavelengths between 560 nm and 590 nm;yellow-reduction band 1077 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% oflight having wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% butless than 50% of light having wavelengths between 565 nm and 595 nm;yellow-reduction band 1078 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% oflight having wavelengths between 575 nm and 595 nm and at least 25% butless than 50% of light having wavelengths between 570 nm and 600 nm; andyellow-reduction band 1079 blocks at least 75% but less than 95% oflight having wavelengths between 575 nm and 590 nm and at least 25% butless than 50% of light having wavelengths between 570 nm and 595 nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10C), long-wavelength-red-blocking band1081 blocks at least 95% of light having wavelengths between 700 nm and800 nm; long-wavelength-red-blocking band 1082 blocks at least 95% oflight having wavelengths between 690 nm and 800 nm;long-wavelength-red-blocking band 1083 blocks at least 95% of lighthaving wavelengths between 680 nm and 800 nm;long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1084 blocks at least 95%of light having wavelengths between 680 nm and 800 nm and at least 75%but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 670 nm and 680 nm;and long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1085 blocks at least95% of light having wavelengths between 680 nm and 800 nm and at least75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 660 nm and 680nm.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 10D), long-wavelength-red-passing band1080 is an embodiment that does not substantially block (i.e., less than25% blockage) light having wavelengths between 640 nm and 705 nm);long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1086 blocks at least 95%of light having wavelengths between 690 nm and 800 nm and at least 75%but less than 95% of light having wavelengths between 680 nm and 690 nmand at least 50% but less than 75% of light having wavelengths between670 nm and 680 nm; long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1087blocks at least 95% of light having wavelengths between 680 nm and 800nm and at least 75% but less than 95% of light having wavelengthsbetween 670 nm and 680 nm and at least 50% but less than 75% of lighthaving wavelengths between 665 nm and 670 nm and at least 25% but lessthan 50% of light having wavelengths between 655 nm and 660 nm;long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1088 blocks at least 95%of light having wavelengths between 680 nm and 800 nm and at least 50%but less than 75% of light having wavelengths between 665 nm and 680 nm;and long-wavelength-red-blocking-and-reduction band 1089 blocks at least95% of light having wavelengths between 685 nm and 800 nm and at least25% but less than 50% of light having wavelengths between 670 nm and 685nm.

FIG. 11 is a set of graphs 1100 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1121 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816.

FIG. 12 is a set of graphs 1200 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1221 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,640.

FIG. 13 is a set of graphs 1300 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1321 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441.

FIG. 14 is a set of graphs 1400 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1421 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,678.

FIG. 15A is a set of graphs 1501 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1521 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,977.

FIG. 15B is a set of graphs 1502 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1522 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,770,749.

FIG. 15C is a set of graphs 1503 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1523 of U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,929.

FIG. 15D is a set of graphs 1504 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1030 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1524 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,824.

FIG. 15E is a set of graphs 1506 that compares both the absorption andtransmittance bands 1031 of the current invention to the tristimulusvalues 1010 and to the bands 1525 of U.S. Patent Application Publication2013/0141693.

In some embodiments, the present invention includes a multi-layeredsunglass lens 1170 as detailed by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1G.The two glass wafers, referred to as front wafer 101 and back, or rear,wafer 102, are laminated together with a polarizing filter layer 103 inbetween. In some embodiments, the lamination is secured by adhesivelayers 104 and 105. In other embodiments (not shown here) the laminationis achieved by fusing the polarizing filter layer 103 directly to theglass wafer using, for example, heat and a vacuum. One preferredembodiment has the option of a mirror coating 106 placed on either theconvex (outer) surface of front wafer 101 or the concave (inner) surfaceof front wafer 101. Additionally, one preferred embodiment has ananti-reflection coating 107 with a top hydrophobic layer 109. In someembodiments, a top hydrophobic layer 108 is applied to the convexsurface of optional mirror coating 106, or if no mirror coating 106 isused on the convex (outer) surface of front wafer 101, then to theconvex surface of front wafer 101.

The luminous transmittance of this lens is preferred to be 12%, but someembodiments have transmission in a range of 8% to 35%. When discussingspectral transmittance of lenses, this specification refers to thestandards provided by ANSI Z80.3-2009 4.6.3.2 and ISO 12312-1 20135.3.2.2 and 5.3.2.3. In some embodiments, the measurements are made inaccordance to CIE illuminant D65. As used herein, “average visibletransmittance of a lens” is defined as the average light transmittanceof the lens to all wavelengths in the range of 400 nm to 700 nm,inclusive.

The lens system found in FIG. 1 includes two glass wafers of preferredthicknesses between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm. One preferred embodiment of thelens system shown in FIG. 1 uses ophthalmic-grade glass wafers and isassembled by well-known processes and specifications found in thesunglass market. The two-wafer system is preferred as the rear wafer 102can have varied thicknesses to induce prism on the horizontal axis inorder to off-set the optical center of the lens. In the sunglassindustry this is typically known as de-centering the lens. The typicalthickness variance within rear wafer 102 is about 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm. Insome embodiments, the front wafer 101 has an even thickness, which istypically about 1.0 mm thick. The preferred luminous transmittance ofthe embodiments of rear wafer 102 that use oxide additives is about 65%.In some embodiments, it is preferred that the wavelength-selectivelight-absorbing oxide additives are in rear wafer 102. Both the FarwigU.S. Pat. No. 7,597,441 and Tsutsumi U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816 include alanthanide oxide called praseodymium for coloration andwavelength-selective attenuation between 420 nm and 440 nm. Farwig U.S.Pat. No. 7,597,441 describes 0.25 to 1.75 mole percent praseodymium,while Tsutsumi U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816 describes a range of 3:1 to 1:1ratio of neodymium to praseodymium, and Fung patent describes 3%praseodymium. In some embodiments, the current invention uses less than0.0005% praseodymium by mole and over 2% neodymium by mole which gives aratio of neodymium to praseodymium far more than 3:1; the ratio ofneodymium to praseodymium in this embodiment of the present inventionwill be in the range of about 2000:1, which is far greater than theTsutsumi U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,816 describes.

In one preferred embodiment, glass rear wafer 102 includes the followingfunctional oxides: copper oxide at about 0.50% by mole, titanium oxidesat about 0.16% by mole, praseodymium oxide at about 0.0004% by mole, andneodymium oxide at about 2.15% by mole. In some embodiments, the fusionof oxides and in addition to other oxides that are typically used inmaking ophthalmic glass lenses have a luminous transmission of about65%, but in other embodiments, the present invention provides a luminoustransmission in a range of 50% to 80%.

The functional oxides of the preferred embodiment do not complete thedesired spectral curve 330 as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments,organic dyes are added in order to create the desired spectral curve. Insome embodiments, organic dyes are added to the adhesive layer(s), tothe polarizing film layer, or to both the adhesive layer(s) and thepolarizing film layer. Organic dyes are typically available in a powderform and, in some embodiments, are diluted by 20 ppm in glycol ether. Insome embodiments, an organic dye such as Exciton ABS 549 or Orco'sChinoline and Exciton's P 491 is used. In some embodiments, the quantityneeded for ABS 549 is about 0.1 milligram per lens, and for P 491, about0.05 milligram per lens. In some embodiments, the luminous transmittanceof the organic dye mixture is about 95%, but in other embodiments, is inthe range from 90% to 99%, inclusive.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is the sunglass-industry standard in materialused to produce polarizing film for sunglasses. In some embodiments, thePVA film used for making polarized film for sunglasses of the presentinvention is quite thin and has a high transmission to visible light,ideally about 45% for some embodiments of the present invention. In someembodiments, dyeing PVA film requires rolling it into a dye tank to dyethe polymers within the film. The most commonly used dyes are iodine anddichroic dyes. The density of dye is important to the polarizationco-efficiency of the film. Once the PVA film is dyed it is stretched atleast five-fold (5-fold) for polarization. In some embodiments, beforestretching, the PVA polymers are oriented in a random way within thefilm. Once stretched, the PVA polymers are aligned in a singledirection. In some embodiments, the organic dyes used for someembodiments of this current invention are added to the dye bath. To dothis, the required dyes are mixed in their powder form, diluted, andadded to the dye bath to a ratio appropriate to accommodate the desiredspectral curve. There is considerable prior art for this process,including but not limited to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,300,436 and 6,113,811. Insome embodiments, the luminous transmittance of the polarized fill forthe present invention is about 45%, but in other embodiments, can have arange of between 30% and 60%, inclusive.

When referencing “polarized filter coatings” that can be used on thiscurrent invention, some embodiments of the present invention use aprocess such as that detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,599.

In some embodiments, the present invention uses plastic lenses thatinclude organic narrow-band absorbing dyes to block UV and certainspecific bands of visible light in order to replicate the transmittanceproperties of the rare-earth oxides used in glass embodiments of thepresent invention. In some embodiments, organic dyes are used in moldedthermoplastic polyurethane lenses of the present invention, while inother embodiments, other narrow-band dyes are used for moldedthermoplastic polycarbonate lenses of the present invention. Adding dyesto plastic materials can be achieved through several options, includingbut not limited to:

1. Adding the functional dyes to the thermoplastic material beforeinjection or casting;

2. Using a two-lens system and including the dyes in the adhesive layerthat bonds the two lenses together;

3. Imbibing, which is the process of using heat to draw the organic dyesinto the lens itself; and/or

4. Trans-Bonding™ to put the dyes on the lens surface.

Typical conventional polarized sunglass lenses have relatively flatspectral curves as seen in FIG. 8. In such conventional polarizedsunglass lenses, there is no relationship to the tristimulus values. Insome embodiments, the current invention adds functional oxides and/ororganic dyes, while other embodiments optionally use only organic dyesthat absorb specific wavelengths of light and structure the spectralcurve to more closely simulate the tristimulus values.

1. Some embodiments of the present invention reduce spectraltransmittance at certain wavelengths by creating an absorption peakbefore the peak sensitivity of the cones used for seeing the color blueat about 450 nm (i.e., absorption in wavelengths shorter than about 450nm). In one preferred embodiment, rear glass wafer 102 is used for thepreferred functional oxides. In some embodiments, this results in verylow light transmittance (in some embodiments, a transmittance of aboutless than 1% of the luminous transmittance of the assembled lens of thiscurrent invention) for wavelengths in a range of about 300 nm to about420 nm. In some embodiments, the desired cut-on wavelength oftransmittance is about 430 nm, so to increase the absorbance between 420nm and 430 nm, some embodiments add Exciton ABS 549 or Orco's Chinoline(Orco, R.I. Division, 65 Valley Street, East Providence, R.I. 02914,USA) organic dyes to either the adhesive or polarizing film or both toaccomplish this.

-   -   a. Some embodiments of the present invention omit the functional        oxides and instead use one or more organic dyes with absorbance        peaks between 380 nm and 430 nm to result in the same spectral        curve shift as embodiments of the current invention that include        glass wafers.    -   b. Some embodiments of the present invention add further organic        dyes that have an absorbance peak near 440 nm to increase the        absorbance of blue light, but this can also affect how one        perceives the color blue.

2. Some embodiments of the present invention further reduce spectraltransmittance in the transitional zone between the colors blue and greenat about 500 nm by using a narrow-band absorbent having awavelength-absorption band of about 20 nm. In all present art anabsorption-band peak between 490 and 510 nm is not described (note thatU.S. Pat. No. 8,733,929 to Chiou et al. uses multi-layer coatings toreflect light in some wavelengths in this band). In some embodiments, anorganic dye such as, or similar to, Exciton's P 491 (Exciton, P.O. Box31126, Dayton, Ohio 45437) in a quantity of about 0.1 milligram per lensis used. In some embodiments, the absorbent peak desired for the presentinvention at about 500 nm is not as deep as the absorbance peaks foundat about 430 nm and 580 nm. In some embodiments, this helps to maintainstransmittance properties as found in ANSI Z80.3-2009 and ISO 12312-12013.

3. Some embodiments of the present invention further reduce the spectraltransmittance by adding a narrow-band absorbent for wavelengths in thetransitional zone between the colors green and red at about 580 nm. Insome embodiments, a fairly steep and narrow absorbance peak is wanted.One preferred embodiment uses neodymium oxide with an amount of about2.15 mole %.

-   -   a. Some embodiments optionally omit the neodymium oxide, and        instead use a narrow-band organic dye with an absorbance peak at        about 580 nm. Some embodiments use the organic dye Exciton ABS        584 in a quantity of about 0.1 milligram per lens. In other        embodiments, the amount of neodymium oxide is reduced and an        organic dye such as Exciton ABS 584 is used to supplement        absorption at wavelengths of about 580 nm.

4. Some embodiments optionally add additional organic dyes to attenuatethe transmission of light between 700 nm and 780 nm.

Adding absorbance peaks as detailed in steps 1. through 3. in theparagraph immediately above creates the preferred spectralcharacteristics of some embodiments of this current invention. There arefour distinct bands within the visible spectrum as detailed below.

Photochromic lenses refer to any lens whose luminous transmissionadjusts through the introduction of energy. The adjustment occurstypically from a chemical reaction activated by UV exposure. Once thelens is exposed to increased levels of UV light a chemical reactionoccurs within the lens, turning the lens darker. Prior art exists inthis field and, for example, is detailed in Corning U.S. Pat. Nos.4,549,894 and 4,979,976. In some embodiments, the assembled lens systemof the present invention includes a photochromic lens. When included inthis invention it would be preferred to use the photochromic lens as thefront-side wafer 101 so that UV, which activates thephotochromic-darkening function, would not be filtered out by afront-side glass such as described for other embodiments within thisspecification. Optionally this current invention could be used whenfront glass wafer 101 is photochromic, being directly exposed to thesun's rays allow the photochromic wafer to function appropriately. Whenwafer 101 is implemented as a photochromic wafer and has a variableluminous light transmittance from about 20% to about 40%, thenincreasing the luminous light transmittance of the polarizing filterfrom about 45% to about 60% would be most preferred. This would benecessary for complying with ANSI Z80.3-2009 transmittance standards.

Placing the optional mirror coating 106 on the concave surface of wafer101 protects the mirror coating 106 from damage such as scratches, saltwater, or peeling. The coating is deposited on the lens by anevaporation process conducted under a vacuum. The density of the coatedlens depends on the thickness of the metallic oxide coating. Because theindex of refraction of the metallic oxides is higher than the index ofrefraction of the underlying lens, the amount of light reflected fromthe absorptive coating is greater than the amount reflected uncoatedsurface of the glass.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an ophthalmic spectacle lens 1600,according to some embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 16, thetop hydrophobic layer 1605 represents the front layer of lens 1600, andthe bottom hydrophobic layer 1615 represents the back layer of lens1600. In some embodiments, lens 1600 includes (from front to back): afirst hydrophobic layer 1605, a first mirror layer 1606, a firstophthalmic-grade glass wafer 1607, a second mirror layer 1608 (in someembodiments, second mirror layer 1608 and third mirror layer 1612 arealternatives to first mirror layer 1606, so only one or the other isused, or in some embodiments, all mirror layers are omitted), a firstadhesive layer 1609, a polarizing layer 1610, a second adhesive layer1611, a third mirror layer 1612 deposited on a second ophthalmic-gradeglass wafer 1613, an anti-reflective layer 1614, and a secondhydrophobic layer 1615. In some embodiments, one or more layers of lens1600 are omitted. In some embodiments, one or more of the mirror layers1606, 1608, and/or 1612 includes a metal film. In other embodiments, oneor more of the mirror layers 1606, 1608, and/or 1612 includes aplurality of dielectric layers such that the mirror layer(s) is/arewavelength-selective. (In some embodiments, using wavelength-selectivemirror-reflectors produces undesirable reflections (i.e., for users whodo not want mirror-type lenses), so using wavelength selective organicdyes or oxides is preferred to provide the absorbance at 400 nm-430 nm,500 nm and 580 nm bands. In some embodiments, the 400 nm-430 nmabsorbance band has zero or nearly zero transmittance from 400 nm to 420nm, and a transmittance of 5% luminous or less.) In some embodiments,one or more of glass wafer 1613, adhesive layers 1609 and 1611, and/orpolarizing layer 1610 includes transitional metal oxides, rare-earthmetal oxides, and/or organic dyes. In various embodiments of the presentinvention, one or more of the layers shown in FIG. 16 are omitted. Insome embodiments, a substitute element (such as a polymer layersubstituted for one or more of the glass layers) is used for one or moreof the layers shown in FIG. 16. In some embodiments, one or moreadditional layers (such as additional coatings) are provided. Note thatwhile three mirror or reflective layers are shown as optional, inpractice, only one reflective layer is implemented in most embodiments,and the other two reflective layers shown are omitted.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an assembled lensthat has a predetermined or given average visible light transmittancefor wavelengths in the range of 400 nm-700 nm (Tv; also called theaverage transmission for all wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nminclusive).

In some embodiments, the transmittance of the lens for wavelengthsbetween 400 nm and 409 nm inclusive is less than or equal to (i.e., nomore than) 10% of Tv; the transmittance of the lens for wavelengthsbetween 410 nm and 419 nm inclusive is no more than 15% of Tv, thetransmittance of the lens for wavelengths between 420 nm and 429 nminclusive is no more than 20% of Tv, the transmittance of the lens forwavelengths between 430 nm and 439 nm inclusive is no more than 30% ofTv, and the transmittance of the lens for wavelengths between 440 nm and449 nm inclusive is no more than 40% of Tv.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 400 nm-420 nm that is less than 1% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the rangeof 400 nm-420 nm that is less than 3% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 400 nm-420 nm that is lessthan 5% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 420 nm-430 nm that is less than 1% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the rangeof 420 nm-430 nm that is less than 5% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 420 nm-430 nm that is lessthan 10% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 85% but morethan 20% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens and that is less than the average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 450 nm-460 nm. Some embodiments of the assembled lens havean average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nmthat is less than 85% but more than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens and that is less than the averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 440 nm-470 nm. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 85% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 75% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 65% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 50% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is less than 40% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is more than 20% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 480 nm-510 nm that is more than 30% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 85% but morethan 20% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens and that is less than the average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 450 nm-460 nm. Some embodiments of the assembled lens havean average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nmthat is less than 85% but more than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens and that is less than the averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 440 nm-470 nm. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 85% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 75% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 65% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 50% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is less than 40% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is more than 20% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-510 nm that is more than 30% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 85% but morethan 20% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens and that is less than the average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 450 nm-460 nm. Some embodiments of the assembled lens havean average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nmthat is less than 85% but more than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens and that is less than the averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 440 nm-470 nm. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 85% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 75% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 65% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 50% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is less than 40% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is more than 20% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 490 nm-500 nm that is more than 30% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 85% but morethan 20% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens and that is less than the average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 540 nm-560 nm. Some embodiments of the assembled lens havean average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nmthat is less than 85% but more than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens and that is less than the averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 520 nm-560 nm. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 85% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 75% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 65% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 50% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is less than 40% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is more than 20% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 570 nm-590 nm that is more than 30% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens.

Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 85% but morethan 20% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens and that is less than the average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 540 nm-560 nm. Some embodiments of the assembled lens havean average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nmthat is less than 85% but more than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens and that is less than the averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 520 nm-560 nm. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 85% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 75% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 65% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 50% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is less than 40% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is more than 20% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens. Someembodiments of the assembled lens have an average transmittance forwavelengths in the range of 580 nm-590 nm that is more than 30% of theaverage visible light transmittance of the assembled lens.

Regarding infrared (IR) blocking, some embodiments of the assembled lenshave an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780nm that is less than 20% of the average visible light transmittance ofthe assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have anaverage transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm thatis less than 10% of the average visible light transmittance of theassembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 5% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 2% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 1% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. On the other hand, some embodiments of the assembled lens have anaverage transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm thatis less than 300% of the average visible light transmittance of theassembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 200% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 150% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 100% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens. Some embodiments of the assembled lens have an averagetransmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700 nm-780 nm that is lessthan 50% of the average visible light transmittance of the assembledlens.

Further regarding infrared (IR) blocking, some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 20% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 10% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 5% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700nm-750 nm that is less than 2% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 700nm-750 nm that is less than 1% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. On the other hand, some embodimentsof the assembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 300% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 200% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 150% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 100% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 700 nm-750 nm that is less than 50% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens.

Further regarding infrared (IR) blocking, some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 20% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 10% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 5% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 730nm-780 nm that is less than 2% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 730nm-780 nm that is less than 1% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. On the other hand, some embodimentsof the assembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths inthe range of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 300% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 200% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 150% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 100% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 730 nm-780 nm that is less than 50% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens.

Regarding ultraviolet (UV) blocking, some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 300nm-400 nm that is less than 20% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 300nm-400 nm that is less than 10% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 300nm-400 nm that is less than 5% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 300nm-400 nm that is less than 2% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 300nm-400 nm that is less than 1% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens.

Further regarding ultraviolet (UV) blocking, some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 350 nm-400 nm that is less than 20% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 350 nm-400 nm that is less than 10% of the average visiblelight transmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of theassembled lens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in therange of 350 nm-400 nm that is less than 5% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 350nm-400 nm that is less than 2% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens. Some embodiments of the assembledlens have an average transmittance for wavelengths in the range of 350nm-400 nm that is less than 1% of the average visible lighttransmittance of the assembled lens.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an ophthalmiccolor-enhancing lens that provides transmittance properties which blocksUV light and some visible light, enhances blue colors, and providesgreater contrast between blue green and green red wavelengths. Someembodiments include a lens assembly that has: a first zone, a secondzone, a third zone, a fourth zone, a fifth zone, a sixth zone, a seventhzone and an eighth zone, wherein (a.) the first zone is areduced-light-transmittance zone having a range of wavelengths thatextends from 300 nm to 399 nm, inclusive, so that the value of the lighttransmission at any one “point” (e.g., wherein the point has awavelength range of plus or minus 5 nm from a first-zone wavelength) inthe first zone is less than 1% of the luminous transmission of theassembled lens system; wherein (b.) the second zone is areduced-light-transmittance zone found between 400 nm-409 nm so that thevalue of the light transmission at any one point (e.g., wherein thepoint has a wavelength range of plus or minus 2 nm from a wavelengthbetween 400 nm-409 nm) is less than 5% of the luminous transmission ofthe assembled lens system; wherein (c.) the third zone is aminimum-light-transmittance zone found between 410 nm-430 nm so that thevalue of the light transmission at any one point (e.g., wherein thepoint has a wavelength range of plus or minus 2 nm from a wavelengthbetween 410 nm-430 nm) is less than 10% of the luminous transmission ofthe assembled lens system; wherein (d.) the lens system provides atleast three higher-transmittance zones including the fourth zone havingwavelengths in the range of 440 nm to 460 nm, the fifth zone havingwavelengths in the range of 540 nm to 560 nm, and the sixth zone havingwavelengths in the range of 600 nm to 630 nm, with each of thehigher-transmittance zones having at least one wavelength that has atransmittance of 75% to 150% of the luminous transmission of theassembled lens system, and wherein (e.) the lens system provides atleast two reduced-transmittance zones having wavelengths between thethree higher-transmittance zones, and specifically including the seventhzone having wavelengths in the range of 485 nm to 510 nm and the eighthzone having wavelengths in the range of 570 nm to 590 nm and wherein theseventh zone and the eighth zone each has at least one wavelength withintheir respective wavelength ranges that has a light transmittance ofbetween 20% and 90% of the luminous transmission of the assembled lenssystem.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye, a copper oxide, a titanium oxide, and a neodymium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye, a copper halide, a titanium oxide, and a neodymium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes atleast one light absorber selected from the group consisting of a copperhalide, a copper oxide, a copper indium compound, a titanium dioxide, aneodymium oxide, praseodymium, an erbium oxide and an organic dye.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes atleast two light absorbers selected from the group consisting of a copperhalide, a copper oxide, a copper indium compound, a titanium dioxide, aneodymium oxide, praseodymium, an erbium oxide and an organic dye.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes atleast three light absorbers selected from the group consisting of acopper halide, a copper oxide, a copper indium compound, a titaniumdioxide, a neodymium oxide, praseodymium, an erbium oxide and an organicdye.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye and at least one element selected from the group consistingof copper, indium, titanium, neodymium, praseodymium, erbium and ahalide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye and at least one oxide selected from the group consisting ofcopper oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide,praseodymium oxide, and erbium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye and at least two oxides selected from the group consistingof copper oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide,praseodymium oxide, and erbium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye and at least three oxides selected from the group consistingof copper oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide,praseodymium oxide, and erbium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes anorganic dye and at least four oxides selected from the group consistingof copper oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide,praseodymium oxide, and erbium oxide.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes atleast two light absorbers selected from the group consisting of copperoxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide, praseodymiumoxide, erbium oxide, and an organic dye.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes atleast three light absorbers selected from the group consisting of copperoxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, neodymium oxide, praseodymiumoxide, erbium oxide, and an organic dye.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens is made using atwo-wafer system with each wafer being about 1 mm in thickness andwherein the rear wafer contains wavelength-selective light-absorbingoxides, and wherein the two wafers are adhered together with alight-polarizing filter in between.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens is made using atwo-wafer system, wherein the two wafers are adhered together using anadhesive with a light-polarizing filter in between.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens is made using atwo-wafer system, wherein the two wafers are adhered together without anadhesive but with a light-polarizing filter in between. In some suchembodiments, the two wafers are heat-fused to the two opposite faces ofthe polarizing filter. In some such embodiments, the heat fusing is donein a vacuum.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens is made using atwo-wafer system with each wafer being about 1 mm in thickness and thepreferred wavelength-selective absorbing material embodiment containingoxides is positioned as the front wafer adhered together with a lightpolarizing filter in between.

In some embodiments, the two glass wafers are adhered together with apolarizing filter in between and all wavelength-selective absorbingmaterial embodiments are included in either the adhesive or lightpolarizing filter.

In some embodiments, the wavelength-selective absorbing materials areincluded in the one of the glass wafers and in the adhesive or lightpolarizing layer.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes aminimum light transmittance zone found between 430 nm-450 nm so that thevalue of the light transmission at any one point is less than 10% of theluminous transmission of the assembled lens system.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includesadditional organic dyes to increase attenuation from 700 nm to 780 nm sothat a minimum light transmittance zone found between 700 nm-780 nm hasa value of the light transmittance at any one point that is not greaterthan 300% of the luminous transmittance of the assembled lens system. Insome embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens has a minimumlight transmittance zone found between 700 nm-780 nm has a value of thelight transmittance at any one point that is not greater than 200% ofthe luminous transmittance of the assembled lens system. In someembodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens has a minimum lighttransmittance zone found between 700 nm-780 nm has a value of the lighttransmittance at any one point that is not greater than 150% of theluminous transmittance of the assembled lens system. In someembodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens has a minimum lighttransmittance zone found between 700 nm-780 nm has a value of the lighttransmittance at any one point that is not greater than 100% of theluminous transmittance of the assembled lens system.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includes amirror coating on either the convex or concave surface.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens has the concavesurface of the rear wafer having an anti-reflection coating.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens adheres to allspectral requirements as found in ANSI Z80.3-2009 and ISO 12312-1 2013.

In some embodiments, the ophthalmic color-enhancing lens includesphotochromic properties in the front wafer.

In some embodiments, the rear wafer is thicker in order to accommodateprescription surfacing.

In some embodiments, the spectral absorbents are selected from the groupconsisting of class dopants, plastic additives, dyes, stains, heattreatments, exposure to ultraviolet light, chemical baths,semi-transparent mirror coatings, and semi-transparent color coatings.

In some embodiments, the lens is an ophthalmic plastic lens.

In some embodiments, the spectral absorbents are selected from a listincluding but not limited to narrowband absorbing dyes, sharp-cutabsorbing dyes, and optical-interference coatings.

Some embodiments include a light polarizing filter.

Some embodiments include a mirror coating.

Some embodiments include wavelength-selective multi-layer-dielectricreflective coating.

Some embodiments include wavelength-selective multi-layer-dielectricreflective coating for only one of four wavelength-absorption bands, andinclude an organic dye.

Some embodiments include an anti-reflection coating.

In some embodiments, the rear portion of the lens is thicker to allowfor prescription surfacing.

In some embodiments, the rear wafer of the two-wafer lens is thickerthan the front wafer to allow for prescription surfacing.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an ophthalmiccolor-enhancing lens that provides transmittance properties which blocksUV light and some visible light, enhances blue colors, and providesenhanced perceived contrast between blue light and green light andprovides enhanced perceived contrast between green light and red light,wherein, when assembled, the lens has a luminous transmission value thatis defined by ANSI Z80.3-2009 4.6.3.2, the lens including: one or morecolor-absorbing materials that together provide: a firstreduced-light-transmittance zone for a first range of wavelengths thatextends from 300 nm to 399 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the first range is no more than 1% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; a second reduced-light-transmittance zone fora second range of wavelengths that extends from 400 nm to 409 nm,wherein light transmission at any wavelength in the second range is nomore than 5% of the luminous transmission of the lens; a thirdreduced-light-transmittance zone for a third range of wavelengths thatextends from 410 nm to 430 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the third range is no more than 10% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; and a plurality of light-transmittance zonesfor respective wavelength ranges of 440 to 460 nm, 540 to 560 nm, 600 to630 nm with each said maximum transmittance zone having at least onewavelength that is 75% to 150%, inclusive, of the luminous transmissionof the lens contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zones coordinatelyfound between the three maximum transmittance zones and specificallyfound in the wavelength ranges of 480 nm to 510 nm and 570 nm to 590 nmand each contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zone having at least onewavelength having a light-transmittance value between 20% and 90%,inclusive, of the luminous transmission of the lens.

An ophthalmic color-enhancing lens that provides transmittanceproperties which blocks UV light and some visible light, enhances bluecolors, and provides enhanced perceived contrast between blue light andgreen light and provides enhanced perceived contrast between green lightand red light, wherein, when assembled, the lens has a luminoustransmission value that is defined by ANSI Z80.3-2009 4.6.3.2, the lensincluding: one or more color-absorbing materials that together provide:a first reduced-light-transmittance zone for a first range ofwavelengths that extends from 300 nm to 399 nm, wherein lighttransmission at any wavelength in the first range is no more than 1% ofthe luminous transmission of the lens; a secondreduced-light-transmittance zone for a second range of wavelengths thatextends from 400 nm to 409 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the second range is no more than 10% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; a third reduced-light-transmittance zone for athird range of wavelengths that extends from 410 nm to 420 nm, whereinlight transmission at any wavelength in the third range is no more than15% of the luminous transmission of the lens; and a fourthreduced-light-transmittance zone for a fourth range of wavelengths thatextends from 420 nm to 430 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the third range is no more than 20% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; and a plurality of light-transmittance zonesfor respective wavelength ranges of 440 to 460 nm, 540 to 560 nm, 600 to630 nm with each said maximum transmittance zone having at least onewavelength that is 40% to 150%, inclusive, of the luminous transmissionof the lens contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zones coordinatelyfound between the three maximum transmittance zones and specificallyfound in the wavelength ranges of 480 nm to 510 nm and 570 nm to 590 nmand each contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zone having at least onewavelength having a light-transmittance value between 20% and 90%,inclusive, of the luminous transmission of the lens.

In some embodiments, the assembled lens comprises all of or part of andnot limited to copper halide, copper indium, and titanium dioxide,neodymium oxide, praseodymium, erbium oxide and organic dyes.

In some embodiments, the assembled lens is made using a two-wafer systemincluding a front glass wafer and a rear glass wafer with each waferbeing about 1 mm in thickness and the glass wafer containingwavelength-selective light-absorbing oxides is positioned as the rearwafer adhered together with a light polarizing filter in between.

In some embodiments, the assembled lens is made using a two-wafer systemwith each wafer being about 1 mm in thickness and the preferredembodiment containing oxides is positioned as the front wafer adheredtogether with a light polarizing filter in between.

In some embodiments, the assembled lens includes two glass wafers thatare adhered together with a polarizing filter in between and allembodiments are included in either the adhesive or light polarizingfilter.

In some embodiments, the wavelength-selective light-absorbing materialsare included in the one of the glass wafers and in the adhesive or lightpolarizing layer.

In some embodiments, a minimum light transmittance zone is createdbetween 430 nm-450 nm so that the value of the light transmission at anyone point is less than 10% of the luminous transmission of the assembledlens system.

Some embodiments further include additional organic dyes to increaseattenuation from 700 nm to 780 nm so that a minimum light transmittancezone found between 700 nm-780 nm has a value of the light transmittanceat any one point that is not greater than 300% of the luminoustransmittance of the assembled lens system.

Some embodiments further include a mirror coating on either the convexor concave surface or both.

In some embodiments, the concave surface of the rear wafer has ananti-reflection coating.

In some embodiments, the lens is adhesiveless (i.e., made without theuse of adhesive within or between layers of the lens) but includes apolycarbonate polymer, and the wavelength blocking in the violetabsorbance band, the cyan partial-absorbance band and the yellowabsorbance band is provided only by at least one organic dye (i.e.,wherein the lens has no adhesive layers and has substantially nowavelength-blocking rare-earth oxides).

In some embodiments, the lens is made such that it meets all spectralrequirements as found in ANSI Z80.3-2009 and ISO 12312-1 2013.

In some embodiments, the front wafer is photochromic. In someembodiments, the rear wafer is thicker than the front wafer in order toaccommodate prescription surfacing.

In some embodiments, said spectral characteristics are created by usingmaterials selected from the group consisting of class dopants, plasticadditives, dyes, stains, heat treatments, exposure to ultraviolet light,chemical baths, semi-transparent mirror coatings, and semi-transparentcolor coatings.

In some embodiments, the lens is an ophthalmic plastic lens. In somesuch embodiments, the wavelength-selective light-absorbing materials areselected from a list including but not limited to narrowband absorbingdyes, sharp cut absorbing dyes, and optical interference coatings. Somesuch embodiments further include a light polarizing filter. Some suchembodiments further include a mirror coating. Some such embodimentsfurther include anti-reflection coatings. In some such embodiments, therear portion of the lens is thicker to allow for prescription surfacing.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments as described herein have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of various embodiments, many other embodimentsand changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention shouldbe, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Inthe appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ophthalmic color-enhancing lens that providestransmittance properties which blocks UV light and some visible light,enhances blue colors, and provides enhanced perceived contrast betweenblue light and green light and provides enhanced perceived contrastbetween green light and red light, wherein, when assembled, the lens hasa luminous transmission value that is defined by ANSI Z80.3-20094.6.3.2, the lens comprising: one or more color-absorbing materials thattogether provide: a first reduced-light-transmittance zone for a firstrange of wavelengths that extends from 300 nm to 399 nm, wherein lighttransmission at any wavelength in the first range is no more than 1% ofthe luminous transmission of the lens; a secondreduced-light-transmittance zone for a second range of wavelengths thatextends from 400 nm to 409 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the second range is no more than 10% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; a third reduced-light-transmittance zone for athird range of wavelengths that extends from 410 nm to 420 nm, whereinlight transmission at any wavelength in the third range is no more than15% of the luminous transmission of the lens; and a fourthreduced-light-transmittance zone for a fourth range of wavelengths thatextends from 420 nm to 430 nm, wherein light transmission at anywavelength in the fourth range is no more than 20% of the luminoustransmission of the lens; and a plurality of maximum-light-transmittancezones including three maximum-light-transmittance zones, one for eachrespective wavelength ranges of 440 to 460 nm, 540 to 560 nm, and 600 to630 nm, with each said maximum-transmittance-zone having at least onewavelength that is 40% to 150%, inclusive, of the luminous transmissionof the lens, and two contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zonescoordinately found between the three maximum-transmittance-zones andspecifically found in the wavelength ranges of 480 nm to 510 nm and 570nm to 590 nm, wherein each contrast-enhancing-light-transmittance zonehas at least one wavelength having a light-transmittance value between20% and 90%, inclusive, of the luminous transmission of the lens.
 2. Thelens according to claim 1, wherein the assembled lens includes at leastone light absorber selected from the group consisting of copper halide,copper indium, titanium dioxide, neodymium oxide, praseodymium, erbiumoxide, and organic dyes.
 3. The lens of claim 1, wherein the assembledlens is made using a two-wafer system including a front glass wafer anda rear glass wafer with each wafer being about 1 mm in thickness,wherein the one or more color-absorbing materials includewavelength-selective light-absorbing oxides in the rear wafer, whereinthe front glass wafer and the rear glass wafer are adhered together witha light polarizing filter in between the front glass wafer and the rearglass wafer.
 4. The lens of claim 1, wherein the assembled lens is madeusing a two-wafer system including a front wafer and a rear wafer witheach wafer being about 1 mm in thickness, wherein the one or morecolor-absorbing materials include wavelength-selective light-absorbingoxides in the front wafer, wherein the front wafer and the rear waferare adhered together with a light polarizing filter in between the frontwafer and the rear wafer.
 5. The lens of claim 1, wherein the assembledlens includes two glass wafers that are adhered together using anadhesive with a light polarizing filter in between the two glass wafers,wherein the one or more color-absorbing materials are included in atleast one selected from the group consisting of the adhesive and thelight polarizing filter.
 6. The lens of claim 1, wherein the assembledlens includes two glass wafers that are adhered together using anadhesive with a light polarizing layer in between the two glass wafers,and wherein the one or more color-absorbing materials are included in atleast one selected from the group consisting of one of the glass wafers,the adhesive, and the light polarizing layer.
 7. The lens of claim 1,wherein the lens includes a fifth reduced-light-transmittance zone thatextends from 430 nm to 450 nm such that a value of the lighttransmission at any wavelength in the fifth reduced-light-transmittancezone is less than 10% of the luminous transmission value of theassembled lens system.
 8. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens includesadditional organic dyes to increase attenuation from 700 nm to 780 nmsuch that a reduced infrared light transmittance zone that extends from700 nm to 780 nm has a value of the light transmission at any wavelengthin the reduced infrared light transmittance zone that is not greaterthan 300% of the luminous transmission value of the assembled lenssystem.
 9. The lens of claim 1, wherein the assembled lens includes twowafers including a front wafer and a rear wafer, wherein the front waferincludes a mirror coating.
 10. The lens of claim 1, wherein theassembled lens includes two wafers including a front wafer and a rearwafer, wherein the rear wafer includes a concave surface that has ananti-reflection coating.
 11. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens meetsall spectral requirements found in ANSI Z80.3-2009 and ISO 12312-1 2013.12. The lens of claim 1, wherein the transmittance properties arecreated by using at least one material selected from the groupconsisting of class dopants, plastic additives, dyes, stains, a materialthat changes on exposure to heat, a material that changes on exposure toultraviolet light, a material that changes on exposure to chemicalbaths, a material that forms a semi-transparent mirror coating, and amaterial that forms a semi-transparent color coating.
 13. The lens ofclaim 1, wherein the lens is an ophthalmic plastic lens.
 14. The lens ofclaim 13, wherein the one or more color-absorbing materials includes atleast one selected from the group consisting of narrowband absorbingdyes, sharp cut absorbing dyes, and optical-interference coatings. 15.The lens of claim 13, wherein the lens includes a light polarizingfilter.
 16. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens includes a front glasswafer, a rear glass lens and an adhesive, located between the front lensand the rear lens, that adheres the front lens to the rear lens and thatcontains the one or more color-absorbing materials.
 17. The lens ofclaim 1, wherein the lens includes a front glass wafer, a rear glasslens and an adhesive, located between the front lens and the rear lens,that adheres the front lens to the rear lens and that contains the oneor more color-absorbing materials, and wherein the lens is polarizing.18. The lens of claim 1, wherein the lens is adhesiveless but includes apolymer and at least one organic dye, wherein the lens has no adhesivelayers and has substantially no rare-earth oxides.
 19. The lens of claim18, wherein the polymer includes a polycarbonate.
 20. The lens of claim18, wherein the polymer includes a polyurethane.